Narrative - Identify character types in texts (Propp).

L/O: To apply Proppian characters to media texts.

Propp’s narrative theory was based on folk tales and legends that he studied from different countries, he found that they were all quite similar and that they seemed to be about the same basic problems and the same types of character kept cropping up. He focused on the way there seemed to be different ‘types’ of characters rather than individuals. He recognised 8 character types. Propp’s 8 character types:

1. The Hero who is on a quest. 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.
2. The Villain who opposes the hero. who usually creates the narrative disruption.
3. The Donor, who helps the hero by giving him a tool. It may be an object, information or advice, which helps in resolution of the narrative.
4. The dispatcher, who starts the hero on his way, aids the hero in the task of restoring equilibrium
5. The false hero, who tempts the hero away from his quest
6. The helper, who helps the hero
7. The princess, who is the reward for the hero. (the victim) is usually the character most threatened by thevillain 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.
8. Her Father, who rewards the hero for his efforts.

Task 1: Apply Propp's character types to the feature film Shrek

Narrative theory propp

Task one: 
a) Apply Propp's character functions to animated feature film Shrek


You will be marked against this success criteria:
Analyse and respond to media texts/topics using media key concepts and appropriate terminology (WJEC Assessment Objective 2)

Marks	Description	Criteria based on ability to:
A* 19-20	Sophisticated ability to:	analyse and respond to the narrative of the media text investigated using media concepts of audience and organisations  present their findings in an engaging manner for an audience  use appropriate terminology effectively.
A 16-18	Excellent ability to:	analyse and respond to the narrative of the media text investigated using the media concepts of audience and organisations  present their findings in an organised and well constructed manner incorporating other examples relevantly  use appropriate terminology effectively.
B 14-15	Confident ability to:	 analyse and respond to the narrative of the media text using the media concept of audience  present their findings in an effective and appropriate manner incorporating other examples  use appropriate terminology.
C 12-13	Sound ability to:	explore narrative conventions in relation to the text under investigation and show an awareness of the ways in which audiences/users can be attracted to the text because of its narrative construction  respond in a relevant manner using an appropriate register for the investigation using other related examples to explore the title  terminology will be appropriate to the text investigated.
D 10-11	Some ability to:	 explore narrative conventions in relation to the text under investigation  respond in a simple manner and use evidence which is largely relevant and is able to refer to other related examples  appropriate terminology will be beginning to emerge.
E 8-9	Simple ability to:	 demonstrate an emerging sense of narrative conventions in relation to the text under investigation  create a response consisting of evidence which is limited but relevant  terminology will be beginning to emerge.
F 4-7	Basic ability to:	demonstrate an emerging sense of narrative conventions in relation to the text under investigation  create a response consisting of evidence which is limited but relevant  terminology will be beginning to emerge.
G 0-3	Minimal ability to:	 create appropriate findings  respond in an intelligible manner  complete the investigative tasks on the chosen text.

Year 10 GCSE MEDIA STUDIES. ASSESSMENT TASK. November 2014

Name_______________________________

Propp’s Character Functions applied to the feature film Shrek

Propp Character Type	Character Name in ‘Shrek’	What does the character do to qualify your answer?