NARRATIVE THEORISTS

VLADIMIR PROPP Vladimir Propp’s 7 character actions: 1. The Villain - Struggles against the hero. 2. The donor - Prepares the hero or gives the hero some magical object. 3. The dispatcher - Character who makes the lack known and sends the hero off. 4. The (magical) helper - Helps the hero in the quest. 5. The princess or prize - The hero deserves her throughout the story but is unable to marry her because of an unfair evil, usually because of the villain, the hero’s journey is often ended when he marries the princess, thereby beating the villain.

6. Her father- Gives the task to the hero, identifies the false hero, marries the hero, often sought for during the narrative. Propp noted that functionally, the princess and the father can not be clearly distinguished.

7. The hero - Reacts to the donor, marries the princess. 8. False hero - Takes credit for the hero’s actions or tries to marry the princess.

Hero: Seeks something Villain: Obstructs the hero Princess: Hero’s reward Father: Give of rewards Donor: Provides information and help Helper: Helps the hero Dispatcher: Sends the hero on a quest False heroIn Propp’s theory, these character types are established to increase understanding from the point of view of the audience

1. Family member leaves home - Hero introduced2. Hero given a warning (e.g. not to do something)3. Hero ignores the warning4. Villain appears (e.g. trying to find jewels / children etc.)5. Villain gains information about the victim6. Villain attempts to trick the victim (guise / trickery)7. Victim/ Hero is fooled by the villain8. Villain causes harm or injury9. Misfortune or lack is made known to Hero10. Hero decides on counter-action11. Hero leaves home12. Hero is tested by the Donor 13. Hero responds to the test14. Hero acquires a magical agent15. Location / hero change to the place of lack16. Hero and Villain in direct combat17. Hero is branded (wounded / scarred)18. Villain is defeated (killed)19. Lack is met –resolution20. Hero goes back home

25. Difficult task is set21. Hero is pursued22. Hero is rescued23. Unrecognised Hero arrives home / another country24. False hero claims Hero’s success26. Hero resolves the task27. True Hero now recognised28. False hero exposed29. Hero given transformation (new appearance e.g. new clothes)30. Villain is punished31. Hero marries and ascends the throne

In addition to the characters Propp he says that it isNarratemes (i.e. narrative functions) - events that drive the narrative forward:

BARTHES Action Code - Something the audience knows and doesn't need explaining e.g. someone being wheeled out on a stretcher tells us they are going to hospital. Enigma Code - Something hidden from the audience. Semic Code - Something that the audience recognize through connotations. Symbolic Code - Something that symbolizes a more abstract concept e.g. a darker than usual room of a murder scene could symbolize the depth of darkness and depravity. Referential Code - Something that is read with understanding due to cultural awareness (e.g. youth culture use certain words that are understood by that culture)

Codes