Vladimir Propp's Theory of Narrative

Vladimir Propp developed a theory of characters which can be proved in a number of narratives.

Propp's 7 structural characters are:

• The Hero - Reacts to the donor, weds the heroine.
• The Villain - struggles against the hero.
• The Donor - Provides the hero with essential objects.
• The Helper - Someone who assists the hero.
• The Heroine - May act as a prize for the hero.
• The Dispatcher - The person who sent the hero on a mission.
• The False Hero - A deceptive character.

The Walking Dead Example

Propp's theory can still be proved by modern TV and film.

• The Hero is Rick Grimes who risks his life in order to find his family. He takes control and try to keep his group of people safe.

• The Villain's are the zombies who persistently try to kill and eat the people.

• The Donor is Morgan who finds Rick and provides him with the information on the zombie apocalypse.

• The Helper is Glen. Glen saved Ricks life and then unknowingly led him back to his lost family.

• The Heroine is his wife Lori who he manages to find again.

• The Dispatcher is the event itself. The zombie apocalypse causes Rick to search for safety and his family.

• The False Hero is Shane. At first the audience believes that Shane is a hero as he saves Ricks family whilst Rick is in a coma. But we realise he's not as heroic when he raises a gun to his supposed 'best friend' Rick.