Propp’s narrative theory was based on folk tales and legends that he studied from different countries, he found that they were all quite similar and that they seemed to be about the same basic problems and the same types of character kept cropping up. He focused on the way there seemed to be different ‘types’ of characters rather than individuals. He recognised 8 character types. Propp’s 8 character types:
- The Hero who is on a quest. Usually male, is the agent who restores the narrative equilibrium often by embarking upon a quest (or search). Propp distinguishes between the victim hero, who is the centre of the villain’s attentions, and the seeker hero who aids others who are the villains victims. The hero is invariably the texts central character.
- The Villain who opposes the hero. who usually creates the narrative disruption.
- The Donor, who helps the hero by giving him a tool. It may be an object, information or advice, which helps in resolution of the narrative.
- The dispatcher, who starts the hero on his way, aids the hero in the task of restoring equilibrium
- The false hero, who tempts the hero away from his quest
- The helper, who helps the hero
- The princess, who is the reward for the hero. (the victim) is usually the character most threatened by thevillain and has to be saved, at the climax, by the hero. The father’s (who in fairy tales was often the king) role is usually to give the princess away to the hero at the narrative’s conclusion. He may also despatch the hero.
- Her Father, who rewards the hero for his efforts.
Todorov suggested that conventional narratives are structured in five stages:
1. a state of equilibrium at the outset;
2. a disruption of the equilibrium by some action;
3. a recognition that there has been a disruption;
4. an attempt to repair the disruption;
5. a reinstatement of the equilibrium
