PROPPS THEORY

Propps theory is that most narratives are about the same basic problems and the same types of character keep cropping up. He focused on the way these characters seemed to be ‘types’ rather than individuals. He recognised there were eight character types, which are:

• The Hero – the one who is on the quest
• The Villain – the one who opposes the hero
• The Donor – the one who helps the hero by giving him a tool
• The Dispatcher – the one who starts the hero on his way
• The False Hero – the one who tempts the hero away from his quest
• The Helper – the one who helps the hero
• The Princess – the one who is the reward for the hero
• Her Father – the one who rewards the hero for his efforts