Narrative theorist research: Propp

Vladimir Propp analysed a number of narratives and produced the theory that characters have a narrative function; they provide a structure for the text.

Propp stated that eight key character types can be found within narratives:
1. The hero - who seeks something
2. The villain - who opposes the hero
3. The donor - who helps the hero by providing something, perhaps an object
4. The dispatcher - who sends the hero on a journey
5. The false hero - a character who pretends to be on side with the hero but eventually turns against them
6. The helper - who supports the hero
7. The princess - an object of desire, can often be perceived as vulnerable
8. The father - a character who protects the princess

I will go on to study narrative music videos with this theory in mind with the aim to discover if I can find each of these character types within the video.