Vladimir Propp

Vladimir Propp was a russian critic who, in the early ninteen-hundreds, examined many folk and fairy stories to find out if they had any common links. He discovered that characters in these stories had similar roles. He referred to these as spheres of action. These roles are different from, actually characters as the roles are linked directly to the actions.

He identified 8 character roles and 31 narrative functions.

The 8 character roles are:

1. The villain(s)

2. The hero

3. The donor – who provides an object with some magic property.

4. The helper who aids the hero.

5. The princess (the sought for person) – reward for the hero and object of the villain’s schemes.

6. Her father – who rewards the hero.

7. The dispatcher – who sends the hero on his way.

8. The false hero

These spheres of action are very applicable to films as many film modern films are versions of fairy tales - for example, Star Ware and Pretty Woman. Many non-fairy tale films also use some of these spheres of action.

By using this theory for breaking down films we are reminded that although on screen characters may seem very real, they are simply constructed characters who have roles to play for the sake of the story.