About Vladimir Propp theory

By analysing types of character and kinds of actions, Propp was able to arrive at the conclusion that there were 31 generic narratives in the Russian Folk tale. While not all are presented, he found that the tales he analysed displayed the function in unvarying sequence. Vladimir Propp suggested that characters took on the role of narrative sphere of action and function. He came up with seven different characters types:

1. The Hero – usually male, is the agent who restores the narrative equilibrium after by embarking on a quest. The hero is invariable the tests central character for example: in Romeo and Juliet, the hero in the tragic story in Romeo as he restores the equilibrium in the end and destroys it in the beginning.
2.   The Villain- who usually creates the narrative disruption. The villain in the story of Romeo and Juliet id Tybalt, Juliet’s cousin, as he tries to get between the hero and the princess
3. The Donor- gives the hero something; it may be an object, information or advice, which helps in resolution of the narrative. 
4. The Helper- aids the hero in the task of restoring equilibrium. Here the helpers are the priest who helps both Romeo and Juliet. 
5. The Princess- is usually the character most threatened by the villain and has to be saved, at the climax by the hero. The princess in this story is Juliet as she is saved by hero Romeo and threatened by her cousin and family 
6. The Dispatches- sends the hero on a task to proceed (who can typically be the princess father). Juliet has a father but doesn’t hike Romeo and he doesn’t want him to see Juliet and even enter his house
7.  The False Hero- appears to be good but is revealed, at the narrative’s end, to have been bad.