VLADIMIR PROPP (1895-1970) Propp was a Bulgarian theorist. In his 1922 work The Morphology of the Folk Tale he analysed something like 400 Russian folk tales. He found that across all of these tales, despite apparent differences, characters and their actions can be categorized into clearly defined roles and functions (8 character roles and 31 narrative functions) which are summarized here:

The hero: seeks something, to fulfill a ‘lack’ of some kind The villain: opposed the hero, tries to make the hero fail The donor: aids the hero by providing an object with magical properties The dispatcher: sends the hero on a quest of some kind The false hero: pretends to be the hero The helper: assists the hero in some way The princess: doubles up as a reward for the hero and the object of the villain’s plot Her father: will reward the hero (often by giving the hero his daughter)

PROPP NARRATIVE FUNCTION

DARK KNIGHT RISES (which character fulfils this role and why?)

Hero

Villain

Donor

Dispatcher

False hero

Helper

Princess

Father

These functions should not be seen just as events, actions or characters in themselves, but as elements in a narrative which can occur at different places. The same action can have a different meaning depending on where it occurs.

PR

EP

AR

AT

ION

A community (a kingdom, family, etc.) in a state of order

A member of the family leaves home

A prohibition/rule is imposed on the hero

A prohibition / rule is ignores or broken

The villain makes an attempt at reconnaissance; tries to find something out about the hero

The villain learns something about his victim

The villain tries to deceive the victim to gain an advantage

The victim is deceived and unknowingly helps the villain

CO

MP

LIC

AT

ION

The state of order is disrupted

The villain harms a member of the family

A member of the family lacks or desires something

This lack is made known to the hero who is sent on a quest

The hero plans action against the villain

T

RA

NS

FE

RE

NC

E

The hero leaves home The hero is tested, attacked, interrogated: the hero receives help

The hero reacts to the donor

The hero is transferred to the location where he will fulfill his quest / task

ST

RU

GG

LE

There is a struggle between the hero and the villain

The hero is branded

The villain is defeated The initial state of order is restored / the lack fulfilled

RE

TU

RN

The hero returns The hero is pursed The hero escapes / is rescued

The hero arrives home or some other place: he is not recognized

A false hero makes a false claim

The hero is given a difficult task

The task is accomplished

RE

CO

GN

ITIO

N

The hero is recognized The false hero / villain is exposed

The false hero / villain transforms

The false hero / villain is punished

The hero is rewarded (marries the princess and is granted wealth/power)