Propp's Theory

Vladamir Propp was a Russian critic who noticed that folk tales and films had many similarities. They had the same basic narrative structure, and have similar characters - stock characters. Propp suggested that characters have a narrative function, to provide a structure for the text. These stock characters are:

• The hero, who is the main focus of the narrative, and who is seeking something out.
• The villain, who opposes the hero in his quest.
• The donor, who provides an assist to the hero where he can through magical means.
• The dispatcher, who sends the hero on his quest.
• The false hero, who disrupts the hero's success by untrue means.
• The helper, who aids the hero where he can, generally a side-kick.
• The princess, who is the reward for the hero, and is the subject of the plot from the villain.
• The princess' father, who rewards the hero for his efforts.

Often, nowadays, narratives tend to subvert the theory, by making a female hero, and by leaving out several stock characters, who wouldn't effect the narrative.