Propp and Todorov

PROPP

Vladimir Propp created this in 1938.

Character types:

Propp suggests that characters have different functions / spheres of action. Characters can fulfil more than one spheres of action, e.g. a princess can also be a helper. Spheres of action can also be made of more than one character, e.g. there can be several villains.

Hero - the main character / protagonist of the story who restores the equilibrium by usually going on a mission to accomplish something, to which there is often a prize or reward of some sort.
There are two different types; the victim hero and the seeker hero. The victim hero is who the villain is after, but the seeker hero helps those who are the villain's victims.

Villain - the antagonist of the story who disrupts the equilibrium.

False hero - appears to be good but is revealed in the end to be bad.

Prize - a reward for the hero once the mission is fulfilled.

Helper - helps hero to restore equilibrium; one or more character/s who provides help to the hero to help complete the mission, and ussually accompanies the hero on their mission.

Mentor/Doner - gives hero something (an object/information/advice) to help resolve disruption; the character/s who guides and advises the hero on their mission by providing information/aid.

Blocker - the one who is also trying to prevent the hero from fullfilling their mission and is usually an associate of the villain.

Dispatcher - sends the hero on to their task.

Princess/victim -usually most threatened by villain and is saved by the hero. Especially in fairy tales, the father usually gives princess to hero at the end.

Narrative Structure

Propp organised his narrative structure into six different categories which tells the story:

> Preparation - a community or family is in an ordered state of being.

> Complication - can be when the villain harms a member of the hero's family; or when the hero plans action against the villain.

> Transference - can be when the hero is given a magical gift; or the hero arrives at the place that he can fulfil his quest.

> Struggle - there is a struggle between the hero and the villain.

> Return - can be when the hero escapes; or a task is set for the hero; or the hero accomplishes a task.

> Recognition - the hero is rewardeed.

TODOROV

This narrative structure was created in 1954 by Tzvetan Todorov.

Narrative Structure:

This structure is organised into five different categories which tells the story and the headings of each category speak for themselves:

> Equilibrium

> Disruption

> Recognition of disruption

> Attempt to repair disruption

> A return or restoration of NEW equilibrium

Source: www.watershed.co.uk/east/content/narrative.html