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

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.

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.

PREPAR

ATION

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. C

OM

PLICATIO

N

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.

TRANSFEREN

CE The hero is transferred

to the location where he will fulfill his quest / task

Bruce escapes prison and

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.

STRUG

GLE

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.

RETU

RN

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. R

ECO

GN

ITION

The hero is rewarded (marries the princess and is granted wealth/power)

Bruce gets a new life with Selina Kyle.