1. VLADIMIR PROPP (1895-1970)
Propp was a Bulgarian theorist. In his 1922 work The Morphology of the Folk Tale he
analysed something like 400 Russian folk tales. He found that across all of these
tales, despite apparent differences, characters and their actions can be categorized
into clearly defined roles and functions (8 character roles and 31 narrative functions)
which are summarized here:
The hero: seeks something, to fulfill a ʻlackʼ of some kind
The villain: opposed the hero, tries to make the hero fail
The donor: aids the hero by providing an object with magical properties
The dispatcher: sends the hero on a quest of some kind
The false hero: pretends to be the hero
The helper: assists the hero in some way
The princess: doubles up as a reward for the hero and the object of the
villainʼs plot
Her father: will reward the hero (often by giving the hero his daughter)
DARK KNIGHT RISES
(which character fulfils this role and why?)
Hero Batman/Bruce Wayne – He seeks to save the city from
destruction but also seeks personal peace; he starts off without
perpous and welcoming death. He finds his reason to fight,
something he was lacking.
Villain Bane – Although mainly focused on Gotham, Bane also wants to
bring down Batman on a personal level.
Donor Lucius Fox – He provides Bruce Wayne with the technology and
means to become Batman again, most notably The Bat.
Dispatcher A couple of characters could fill this position, Selina Kyle prompts
Batman into action by stealing from him, Whilst john Blake visits
Wayne and sends him out into the world and encourages him to
become Batman again.
An interesting view could be that Batman himself is the
dispatcher, giving himself his missions and motivations and later
delegating tasks to Gordon, Blake, and Cat woman.
False hero Miranda Tate – Miranda Tate, secretly Talia Ghul, pretends to be
a hero and a fighter for the less fortunate, although sheʼs really
the mastermind behind Gothamʼs destruction.
Peter Foley – He could also be this as he believes himself to be
the hero and in charge. He tries to take charge of the situation as

2. False hero Miranda Tate – Miranda Tate, secretly Talia Ghul, pretends to be
a hero and a fighter for the less fortunate, although sheʼs really
the mastermind behind Gothamʼs destruction.
Peter Foley – He could also be this as he believes himself to be
the hero and in charge. He tries to take charge of the situation as
if he is the hero.
Helper John Blake – He assists Batman with freeing the cops
underground and attempts to evacuate the city under Batmanʼs
instructions. He fills the role of Batmanʼs sidekick.
Alfred – Alfred could be the helper, he has Bruce Wayneʼs best
interests at heart, and He wants to look after him. He also
provides moral support. He also literally helps Bruce, bringing
him dinner and opening the door.
Salina Kyle – Kyle helps Batman as Catwoman, leading him to
Bane and latter assisting him in the battle for Gotham by killing
Bane off.
Princess Miranda Tate – Miranda Tate is the initial love interest, is needed
for Baneʼs plan (Her hand print releases the power core) and
Batman tries to save her from Banes men near the end. However
Miranda turns out to be a new category; the False Princess.
Selina Kyle – She does end up being a sort of reward for
Batman, she becomes the love interest and gives him faith that
criminals can change. Batman also sort of saves her in the end,
giving her a chance at a new life and she is involved with Baneʼs
plan.
Father Raʼs al Ghul – If we use Talia as the princess then Raʼs would be
the father. Although he doesnʼt really fulfill the role as heʼs dead
and he was an enemy of Batman. However in the first film he did
train Batman.

3. PROPP NARRATIVE FUNCTION
These functions should not be seen just as events, actions or characters in themselves, but as
elements in a narrative which can occur at different places. The same action can have a different
meaning depending on where it occurs.
A community (a
kingdom, family, etc.) in
a state of order
Gotham city is safe.
A member of the family
leaves home
Alfred leaves.
A prohibition/rule is
imposed on the hero
Batman is hunted by police.
A prohibition / rule is
ignores or broken
Batman returns and is chased by cops.
The villain makes an
attempt at
reconnaissance; tries to
find something out
about the hero
Selina Kyle takes Wayneʼs fingerprints.
The villain learns
something about his
victim
Bane finds Gordonʼs letter, discovers Dent was mad and
evil and that Batman is the hero.
The villain tries to
deceive the victim to
gain an advantage
Miranda Tate becomes a romantic link to Bruce.
PREPARATION
The victim is deceived
and unknowingly helps
the villain
Tate tricks Bruce into building the power core so that it
may become a bomb.
The state of order is
disrupted
-Kyle steals from Bruce
-Bane kidnaps nuclear physicist.
The villain harms a
member of the family
-Daggert gets finger prints
-Gordon is shot and hospitalized
A member of the family
lacks or desires
something
Alfred wants Bruce to have a life away from Gotham and
Batman.
This lack is made
known to the hero who
is sent on a quest
Bruce is told about Rachelʼs letter.
COMPLICATION
The hero plans action
against the villain
Batman researches Bane.
The hero leaves home Bruce is sent away to prison.
The hero is tested,
attacked, interrogated:
the hero receives help
Batman is defeated by Bane and must heal in prison. He
receives help from the prison doctor.
The hero reacts to the
donor
The prison doctor could act as a donor, he teaches
Wayne to fear death.
TRANSFERENCE
The hero is transferred
to the location where
he will fulfill his quest /
task
Bruce escapes prison and

4. There is a struggle
between the hero and
the villain
Batman and Bane fight during the battle for Gotham.
The hero is branded Batmanʼs back his broken in his fight with Bane.
- Or could be when he is recognized as a hero, lighting up
the bat signal.
The villain is defeated Bane is defeated, shot in the chest by Selina Kyle.
STRUGGLE
The initial state of order
is restored / the lack
fulfilled
Banes plan fails and Gotham is peaceful again. Bruce
found a reason to live and escaped, making a new life
with Selina Kyle.
The hero returns Bruce returns to Gotham.
The hero is pursued The police chase Batman after the stock exchange.
The hero escapes / is
rescued
Batman escapes from the prison.
The hero arrives home
or some other place: he
is not recognized
- Batman makes a come back but isnʼt as strong as he
was.
- In prison. They donʼt know heʼs Batman, heʼs just
another prisoner.
A false hero makes a
false claim
- Bane claims he is liberating the city in the football
stadium.
- Tate tries to get Bruce to turn the reactor on.
The hero is given a
difficult task
Bruce climbing out the pit.
RETURN
The task is
accomplished
He escapes and faces Bane again, this time defeating
him.
The hero is recognized - Batman saves Gotham and is recognized as a hero. He
gets a statue built.
The false hero / villain
is exposed
Miranda Tate stabs Batman, revealing her identity.
The false hero / villain
transforms
- Selina Kyle becomes hero.
- He learn Baneʼs motive is love.
The false hero / villain
is punished
Tate is killed.
RECOGNITION
The hero is rewarded
(marries the princess
and is granted
wealth/power)
Bruce gets a new life with Selina Kyle.