Vladimir Propp is a very important figure in media as we know it today. In the 1920’s, he had analyzed 100 Russian tales and came up with the Propp Theory. He reduced the tales to their simplest narrative elements and ignored verbal aspects of the story such as dialogue, tone or mood in the narration. Propp also disregarded changeable secondary details so he didn’t look at a single tale as it is. Instead, he looks for the same plot in different versions of the same tale.
According to Propp, there are 7 important titles for characters in any given story. Some characters may hold more than one title.
The villain is the antagonist, the person who is going against the hero. The donor helps the hero in some way, sometimes giving him important information or object. The dispatcher sends the hero off on his quest. The helper, sometimes magical, helps the hero with the quest; essentially a sidekick. The princess is usually sought after during the story and eventually gets married to the hero. The false hero is someone who is presented to be on the good side at first, but is later revealed to be evil. Finally the hero is the one who has been wronged by the villain. He can be identified most easily because the story revolves around him going on the quest, he wins in the end and weds the princess.
Propp thought that there were 4 “spheres” in each story and each has separate narratemes, although not each narratemes must be included in a story.
The first sphere introduces the situation, it also establishes the hero and villain.
- Something is missing: Something is missing from the hero’s world.
- The Stakes: The hero is warned against solving the problem. This ups the stakes and increases dramatic tension.
- Disturbance: The villain disrupts the peace, with a real or perceived threat.
- Reconnaissance: The antagonist get more involved here; he wants to know where the missing object is.
- Delivery: The villain gets important information. Increases dramatic tension because he’s got the upper hand now.
- Trickery: The villain attempts to trick the hero.
- Complicity: The hero falls for it and ends up helping the villain.
The main story starts in the 2nd sphere.
- Villainy and Lack: The villain threatens someone important to the hero, or something else goes missing.
- The Challenge: The hero finds out about it, the dispatcher wants the hero to help.
- Counteraction: The hero accepts the challenge or assignment.
- Departure: The hero leaves on his quest along with the helper.
The hero sets out on his quest and has a clear goal in the 3rd sphere.
- The Test: The hero proves his heroic qualities through a challenge or obstacle (which isn’t always set by the villain).
- Reaction: The hero reacts to the test.
- Acquisition: The donor is introduced here who gives the hero something, usually a magical object or important information.
- Transport: The hero travels to reach his goal.
- Confrontation: The hero and villain fight although it may not be the last fight and the hero may lose here.
- Injury: The hero is injured to make create tension.
- Victory: The hero wins over the villain but it may only be temporary.
- Resolution: The initial issue may still not be fixed but an issue has been solved directly by the hero.
The 4th sphere is optional as the story may end in the Resolution.
- The Hero Returns: The hero goes back to where he came from.
- Pursuit: The villain follows the hero in order to get what the hero has.
- The Rescue: The hero narrowly escapes.
- Back Home: The hero reaches home but there is still a problem.
- The False Claim: Others spread false rumours, or claims to be the false hero.
- The Difficult Task: Direct challenge to the hero that may seem impossible.
- Task Performed: The hero does it.
- Recognition: The hero is recognised.
- False Claim is Exposed: Everybody realised the false hero was lying.
- Acknowledgement: Everybody respects the hero now that he’s proved himself.
- The Hero Wins: The villain finally loses.
- The Hero Returns: The hero wins the girl and is usually promoted.
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