Propp's Narrative Theory

Narrative Theory

Narrative theory is a way of analysing story structure. It was explored by the Russian formalists in the 1920s. Vladimir Propp came up with several character types that fulfil universal roles found in a lot of literature. Tzvetan Todorov’s theory of narrative focuses on how narratives are constructed through a sequence of stages.

Taking The Lord of the Rings as an example and breaking it down to show how it is structured in accordance with these theories. 

The Hero: This is probably Frodo in LoTR, he at least fills the role of the victim hero. Any of the series’ other “good” characters could be the seeker hero, perhaps Aragorn most of all.

The Villain: Sauron, his character creates the disruption by being the ultimate evil.

The Donor: Bilbo, who gives Frodo both the ring which is central to the series’ plot, as well as the mithril shirt that saves the characters life at one point.

The Helper: In Fellowship of the Ring this would be any of the people following Frodo, however overall, Sam would be the ultimate helper figure in this series.

The Princess: in LOTR the princess character is slightly odd as there doesn’t appear to be anyone that fits this on immediate glance. Towards the end of the series, perhaps Frodo falls into this character type as he would be the most threatened by the main evil character. During this time when Sam has to save Frodo from a giant spider, Sam becomes the Hero to Frodo’s Princess.

The Dispatcher: Gandalf, who sends Frodo off on his quest at the beginning of the story.

The False Hero: Boromir, during Fellowship when he tries to take the ring from Frodo and use it’s power. Saruman, when Gandalf goes to seek his aid. Perhaps there is a “Reverse false hero” in King Theoden of Rohan who is being manipulated by sorcery only to snap out of it and assist the heroes in the climactic final battle.

Going by Todorov’s theories, we can analyse the format of the story using these types also.

The State of Equilibrium – Frodo’s life in the Shire in the first chapter.

Disruption of Equilibrium by some action: Bilbo gives Frodo the ring and Gandalf sends him off on his quest.

Recognition of Disruption: When the road becomes dangerous and the Hobbits realise that their journey will not be a peaceful one. They initially seem to be having fun on and not taking it seriously.

An Attempt to Repair the Disruption: Frodo destroying the ring in the volcano .

Reinstatement of the Equilibrium: There isn’t really one for the main character, Frodo, who begins a new journey to the elf lands at the end of the story but his companion Sam returns to his old life at the end.