Vladimir Propp analyzed 100 stories and found that they all contained 8 main character types that fulfilled specific functions to advance the plot, regardless of their individual differences. These 8 types are the hero, villain, princess, donor, helper, princess' father, false hero, and dispatcher. While Propp's theory focused on fairy tales, it is debatable how well the 8 character types apply to horror stories, which typically lack a clear hero and happy ending.
2. • Vladimir Propp was a Russian and Soviet
scholar. His research consisted of analysing
100 stories and came to the conclusion that
within all of these tales; there would always
be 8 main character types. He believed that all
of these characters individual differences did
not matter but that each character simply had
a function to help tell the story and move the
plot along.
3. The 8 character types:
• The hero
-Leads the narrative, usually seeking something
• The villain
-Struggles against the hero, often a bad person
• The princess
-Object sought out by the hero, a prize
• The donor
-Provides the hero with something to help
• The helper
-Supports the hero, the hero’s friend
• The princess’ father
-Gives task to hero, protects princess
• The false hero
-Acts like the hero; steals hero’s thunder
• The dispatcher
-Sends the hero on his quest
4. • Whether these 8 character types fit into the
horror genre is debatable as characters within
horror films are neither good or bad, so in the
way of having a ‘hero’, this may not apply in
most horror films as they rarely ever have a
“happily ever after” in which the ‘hero’ saves
the day.
