Narrative and Character Types
There are lots of theories on the ways that stories work: some people say that most stories or narratives have similar themes, and similar characters.
The following ‘character types’ come from Propp’s work on folk tales:
HERO(INE): Individual whose quest is to restore the equilibrium. – Katniss
VILLAIN: Individual(s) whose task is to disrupt the equilibrium. – President Snow
DONOR: Individual(s) who gives the hero something e.g. advice or an object. – Haymitch
HELPER: Individual who aids the hero with their set task. – Gale
PRINCESS/PRINCE: Individuals who need help, protecting and saving. – Primrose/Peeta
DISPATCHER: Individual(s) who send the hero on their quest. – Cinna or Effie Trinkett
FALSE HERO : Individual(s) who set out to undermine the hero’s quest by pretending to aid them. Often unmasked at the end of the film – Seneca Crane
Now think of your favourite film. Which characters play the same type of roles?
Target Audience
Key elements of a teen movie:
■ Handsome young male protagonist – Yes
■ Attractive female protagonist – Yes
■ Key location suburban American high school – No
■ White affluent middle-class family, who live in a large house – No
■ Teenage angst, conflict with family, heartbreak – Yes
■ Sex, drugs and romance – Watered down version to fit with 12A rating to get more…?
