Propp’s narrative theory.

Vladimir Propp developed a character theory for studying media texts and productions, which indicates that there were 8 broad character

types.

Character types.

1. The villain (struggles against the hero)2. The donor (prepares the hero or gives the hero some magical object) 3.The (magical) helper (helps the hero in the quest)4. The princess (person the hero marries, often sought for during the narrative)5. The false hero (perceived as good character in beginning but emerges as evil)6. The dispatcher (character who informs the hero and sends the hero off)7. The hero (AKA victim/seeker), reacts to the donor, weds the princess8. The father - Gives Hero task and identifies False Hero, Propp noted that the Princess and the Father cannot be clearly distinguished.

School of Rock- music, comedy.

> After being kicked out of a rock band, Dewey Finn becomes a substitute teacher of a strict elementary private school. After witnessing the musical talent in his students, Dewey forms a band of fourth-graders to attempt to win the upcoming Battle of the Bands and pay off his rent.

Director: Richard linklater. Writer: Mike White. Stars: Jack Black, Mike White, Joan Cusack.

The villain.

• The villain is the character is the one who struggles with the hero.

• In “school of rock” Patty Di Marco, (girlfriend to Finn’s room mate) can be seen as the villain. She wants Finn out of the apartment because he is not paying his rent. At the end of the film she also reports him to the police for impersonating the real substitute.

The donor.

• The donor prepares the hero or gives the hero some magical object.

• The children in Dewey Finn’s class, towards the end of the movie, give him hope that they can win the battle of the bands, even though he has been fired.

The helper.

• The helper, helps the hero in the quest.• In this film there are many helpers. All the children in his

class help him to win the battle of he bands.

The princess.

• The princess is the person the hero marries, often sought for during the narrative.

• In this film Rosalie Mullins, the head teacher, is the princess. The hero manipulates her at the being so he can take the children on a school trip. Later a romantic relationship forms.

The false hero. • The false hero, perceived as good character in the

beginning but emerges as evil.• Finns initial band could be seen as the false hero. They use

Finn to get the band started and then get rid of his when they find a better band member.

• However, Dewey Finn could also be a false hero. He also uses the students to win the battle of the bands and wastes a year of the students life, but redeems him self because he does teach the students something.

The dispatcher.

• The dispatcher character informs the hero and sends the hero off on his quest.

• Ned Schneebly can be seen as a dispatcher because he suggest to Finn that he should get a new/different job, leading him to taking Ned’s temp job.

The hero. • The hero reacts to the donor and weds the princess.• Dewey Finn, played by Jack Black, is the hero in he movie.

He fights many battles along his journey to pay his over due rent. He inspires the children to believe in themselves and their talents, and informs them how to “stick it to the man”. Although he does illegally impersonated a teacher, he brings his students closer together and to there families.

Often the comedy genre doesn't fit into theories. This is because they are

very broad and revolve around the context of the script and not the codes

that we are shown. This is also the case for Propps theory. The 8

characters aren't clearly defined in the film and I struggled to put them in

the 8 character boxes.