analysis of my media products on propps and todorovs narrative theories

Vladimir Propp’s Theory of Narrative

Vladimir Propp suggested that characters took on the role of narrative 'spheres of action' or functions. From a comprehensive study of folktales Propp came up with different character types:

• The hero, usually male, is the agent who restores the narrative equilibrium
often by embarking upon a quest (or search). Propp distinguishes between
the victim hero, who is the centre of the villain's attentions, and the seeker
hero who aids others who are the villains victims. The hero is invariably the
texts central character.
• The villain who usually creates the narrative disruption.
• The donor gives the hero something, it may be an object, information or
advice, which helps in resolution of the narrative.
• The helper aids the hero in the task of restoring equilibrium.
• The princess (the victim) is usually the character most threatened by the
villain and has to be saved, at the climax, by the hero. The father's (who in
fairy tales was often the king) role is usually to give the princess away to the
hero at the narrative's conclusion. He may also despatch the hero.
• The dispatcher sends the hero on her or his task (who can typically be the
princess father)
• The false hero appears to be good but is revealed, at the narrative's end, to
have been bad
Characters can fulfil more than one sphere character type, for example; a princess
may also be a helper.

i can apply this theory to my thriller video because in our media product it involves a villain and two heros searching for their missing or abducted sister. although this product was made during the early stages of our media lessons, it still includes

http://www.youtube.com/user/longroadmediastudies#p/search/3/cbjhPh9Bu_c

Tzvetan Todorov’s Theory of Narrative
Todorov suggested that conventional narratives are structured in five stages:
1. a state of equilibrium at the outset;
2. a disruption of the equilibrium by some action;
3. a recognition that there has been a disruption;
4. an attempt to repair the disruption;
5. a reinstatement of the equilibrium

This type of narrative structure is very familiar to us and can be applied to many
‘mainstream’ film narratives. my childrens film and thriller can be applied to the todorov theory because it follows the same structures and invloves the same scenarios with in them.