Propp's 7 Character Types

Question 1

Villiain

Answer 1

An evil character that creates struggles for the hero

Question 2

Dispatcher

Answer 2

Any character who explains the need for the hero’s quest and sends the hero off. This often overlaps with the princess’s father; they may be the same character

Question 3

Helper

Answer 3

A typically magical character that comes to help the hero in their quest

Question 4

Princess or prize (and often her father)

Answer 4

The hero deserves her throughout the story but is unable to marry her as a consequence of some evil or injustice, perhaps the work of the villain. The hero’s journey is often ended when he marries the princess, which represents the villains defeat

Question 5

Donor

Answer 5

A character that prepares the hero or gives the hero some magical object, sometimes after testing them

Question 6

Hero

Answer 6

The character who reacts to the dispatcher and donor characters, defeats the villain, overcomes any failings in themselves and marries the princess

Question 7

False hero

Answer 7

A character who takes credit for the hero’s actions or tries to marry the princess