Vladimir Propp - Theory

The theorist Vladimir Propp had a fascination with the way that, that the narratives of folk tales were told, and identified these thirty one characterics/conventions of folk tales that can be applied to films.

1. A member of a family leaves home (the hero is introduced as a unique person, whose needs may not be met by remaining)
2. An interdiction (a command NOT to do something e.g.'don't go there', 'go to this place'), is addressed to the hero.
3. The hero ignores the interdiction.
4. The villain appears and (either villain tries to find the wanted item, or intended victim encounters the villain).
5. The villain gains information about the victim.
6. The villain attempts to deceive the victim to take possession of victim or victim's belongings.
7. The victim is fooled by the villain, unwittingly helps the enemy.
8. Villain causes harm/injury to family member (by abduction, theft of magical item, spoiling crops, causes a disappearance, expels someone, casts spell on someone,  commits murder, imprisons/detains someone, threatens forced marriage, provides nightly torments). 
9. Misfortune or lack is made known, (hero is dispatched, hears call for help alternative is that victimised hero is sent away, freed from imprisonment).
10. Seeker agrees to, or decides upon counter-action.
11. Hero leaves home.
12. Hero is tested, interrogated, attacked etc, preparing the way for his/her receiving magical helper (donor).
13. Hero reacts to actions of future donor (withstands/fails the test).
14. Hero acquires use of a magical item (it's directly transferred, or offered by other characters).
15. Hero is led to the whereabouts of an object they have been searching for.
16. Hero and villain fight in direct combat.
17. Hero is branded (wounded).
18. Villain is defeated (killed in combat, defeated in contest).
19. Initial misfortune or lack is resolved (object of search distributed, spell broken, slain person revived, captive freed).
20. Hero returns.
21. Hero is pursued (pursuer tries to kill, eat or undermine the hero).
22. Hero is rescued from pursuit (obstacles delay pursuer, hero hides or is hidden).
23. Hero unrecognised, arrives home or in another land.
24. False hero presents unfounded claims.
25. Difficult task proposed to the hero (trial by endurance and will)
26. Task is resolved.
27. Hero is recognised (by mark, brand, or thing given to him/her);
28. False hero or villain is exposed.
29. Hero is given a new appearance (is made whole, handsome)
30. The villain is punished.
31. The hero marries and ascends the throne.