Propp: Character Type and Function

Propp

In 1928 Vladimir Propp suggested that there are only ever a limited number of character types in a story and each had their own purpose. He came up with main character types that feature in stories. These were:

• Hero - This is the central protagonist of the narrative who is shown at the front and has some kind of task to undertake in return for a reward. They are traditionally male (e.g. Fireman Sam) but can be female in more modern narratives (e.g. Mulan).
• Heroine/Princess - This character acts as the reward for the hero after succeeding in the quest. In stereotypical narratives that are older the heroine is a passive princess and is female (e.g. Daphne in Scooby Doo) however in modern narratives the heroine is seen to become a more feisty and active person (e.g. Jasmine in Aladdin).
• Villain - This character seeks power, glory and wealth and works to prevent the hero form completing their task and so present a genuine threat to them. Occasionally they can be after the heroine for themselves. They can be male (e.g. Car in Lion King) or female (e.g. Cruella de Vil in 101 Dalmatians).
• Donor/Mentor - This character provides the hero with useful and important information and equipment to help him or her in completing the quest. They are shown to be wise and can sometimes have special powers but they need the hero to complete the quest (e.g. Shredder in Teenage Mutant Hero Turtles).
• Helper - This is the side kick for the hero and accompanies them throughout their task (e.g. Jess the Cat in Postman Pat).

Modern Narratives

I think Propp's ideas surrounding characters works for a lot of older and more traditional stories and narratives, however I think that in a lot of modern day narratives the character types are used a lot more loosely. In films today many other different types of characters have been introduced into plots and the idea of a hero saving a heroine/princess has become less common. Films from the last 20/30 years also stray from Propp's character types e.g. Pulp Fiction (1994) and The Breakfast Club (1985).