Propp's Character Theory.

Vladimir Propp (1969), developed a character theory after the analysis of 100 folk and fairytales to identify how characters are used to move the narrative forward.
The emphasis was not looking as the characters representing real people, but as functions who's whole was to move the narrative forward.

His theory consisted of 8 Characters:

1. Villain
2. Hero/Protagonist- As a role of driving the narrative forward.
3. Doner- Provides the hero with magic gift.
4. Helper
5. Princess
6. Princess' Father
7. Dispatcher- Send the hero on their way.
8. The false Hero

(A character could have several roles in the narrative).

This theory is still applicable to film that have been released recently, an example could be a film called 'A Cinderella Story':

1. Villain- Evil Stepmother/Fiona (Jennifer Coolidge)
2. Hero/Protagonist- Cinderella/Sam Montgomery (Hillary Duff)
3. Doner- Waiter At Diner/Fairygodmother/Rhonda (Regina King)
4. Helper- Geeky Best Friend/Carter Farrell (Dan Byrd)
5. Princess- Cinderella/Sam Mongomery (Hillary Duff)
6. Princess Father- (Died, But Gave Cinderella A 'Special Book')
7. Dispacther- Waiter At Diner/Fairygodmother/Rhonda (Regina King)
8. False Hero- Evil Stepsisters/Brianna & Gabriella (Madeline Zima & Andrea Avery)

Flaws In Propps Theory:

Propp's theory ignore the characters tones and moods in his analysis which differentiates one tale from another, as well as not seeing the meaning in each of the tales he studied.