Vladimir Propp was a folklorist researcher interested in the relationship between characters and narrative.
Propp argued that stories are character-driven and that plots develop from the decisions and actions of characters and how they function in a story. He claimed characters could be classified into certain roles that progress a story. (View, 2020)
Vladimir Propp (1928) claimed characters could be defined by their “spheres of action” and the role they played in the progression of the story. After studying 100 fairy tales in tremendous detail, he identified seven archetypes: the villain, the donor, the helper, the princess, the dispatcher, the hero, and the false hero. (Media Studies, 2020)
At the start of the story, the villain causes some “form of misfortune, damage, or harm” by stealing a magical object for their own gain, ruining crops, kidnapping a person, or committing a murder. They could be a dragon, a witch, a stepmother, or even the devil himself. These characters often use a disguise to perform their wicked deeds, such as the dragon who turns into a golden goat or the witch pretending to be a “sweet old lady”. (Media Studies, 2020)
I'll be using the movie "The Dark Knight" as the perfect example of how Propp's Narratemes are applied/ apply to films.
In Propp’s terms, the opening immediately introduces the Villain. The Joker’s face is hidden behind a mask, creating mystery and signalling danger. Even before he speaks, the film establishes him as chaotic, unpredictable, and powerful. His behaviour, killing his own henchmen, causing destruction, and mocking the bank manager, shows he is the source of disruption in Gotham.
Propp Role Identified: Villain
The “lack” in the narrative is revealed: Gotham lacks order and safety. The criminal underworld is growing in power, and the Joker is exploiting it. The absence of security, morality, and control sets the stage for Batman’s purpose.
Propp Function: Lack
The Joker reveals himself after killing the last robber
When the Joker removes his mask and drives off with all the money, the disruption becomes clear: a villain has openly challenged Gotham. This signals the Call to Action, a threat that Batman must later respond to.
Propp Function: Mediation
Using Propp’s theory helped me understand how early character roles shape audience expectations. In The Dark Knight, the Villain (the Joker) is introduced immediately to build tension, and in my own film I can similarly introduce the bullies early to show their power over the protagonist. This sets up the girl as the Hero figure, even though she later becomes more morally complex when she seeks revenge.
The Dark Night
Propp Role Identified: Villain
The “lack” in the narrative is revealed: Gotham lacks order and safety. The criminal underworld is growing in power, and the Joker is exploiting it. The absence of security, morality, and control sets the stage for Batman’s purpose.
Propp Function: Lack
When the Joker removes his mask and drives off with all the money, the disruption becomes clear: a villain has openly challenged Gotham. This signals the Call to Action, a threat that Batman must later respond to.
Propp Function: Mediation
Reflection:
Propp’s idea of the “Lack” is also extremely useful: in The Dark Knight, the lack is safety and order, whereas in my film the lack is justice, fairness, and emotional safety for the bullied girl. Establishing this lack early makes her motivations clear and believable. This theory also shapes how I plan my opening, as I will introduce the bullying situation quickly to mirror how The Dark Knight establishes its main conflict. I can use visual elements such as close-ups of the girl’s reactions, shots of isolation, and the environment to express her emotional state.
Her “Call to Action” moment could be when she is humiliated or pushed too far, setting up her transformation. Overall, Propp’s structure helps me organise my story logically, ensure the opening sets up conflict, predict how the audience will understand each character, and make the revenge arc feel justified rather than random. It provides a strong foundation for building tension from the very beginning, just like in The Dark Knight
References
BBC Bitesize. (2015). Narrative techniques - Revision 1 - GCSE Media Studies - BBC Bitesize. BBC Bitesize. https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/zgydhv4/revision/1
Media Studies. (2020, October 25). Vladamir Propp’s 7 Character Types and Narrative Theory. Media Studies. https://media-studies.com/propp/
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