Vladimir Propp (research)

Russian born Vldadimir Propp was a russian  and soviet formalist scholar who analyzed basic plot compmonents of Russian folk tales; identifying basic narrative structures. Vladimir devised a theory concerning the basic structure to which he believed narrative followed in terms of characters and plotting. Vladimir's character analysis consists of a hero, who he believes is seeking something; and a villan who opposes the hero. Additionaly there is a donor, who helps the hero by giving him a magic object and the dispatcher who sends the hero on his way. Vladimir also believed there was a false hero, whom wrongly assumes the role of the hero and the helper who behaves similar to the donor in offering help to the hero. Finally the princess who is the reward for the hero and needs to be protected from the villian. There is also the role of the princesses father.

Concerning narrative functioning vladimir believed there were three stages in basic narrative structure, these structures consist of preperation, i.e the introudctory sequence in which he named the 1st sphere. This is closely followed by a complication in which could consist of the villian harming a family member and the hero typically seeking action against him/her. This structure is defined as being the body of the story and is the 2nd sphere. The 3rd sphere consists of transference whereby the hero is typically tested and as a result receives a helper to conquer the battle they are facing. The 4th and final sphere is subjective of the hero's return.



Trey_Songz_-_Cant_Help_But_Wait_-_Video_Premiere_-
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This video I believe follows the general concept of vladimir's theory in that the female plays the role of the so called "princess" whilst trey songz potrays the role of the hero and the other male plays the villain. In this video we can see that the other male plays abusive partner (villain) whilst the female is potrayed as being the damsil in distress who is in need of rescuing. Which is where trey songz comes in in what is called the second sphere as a complication is established. He is tested by the villain, however nanages to his love interest, rightfully claiming his reward. Though some of the elements of Vladimir's theory can be identified in this video, many of the characters Vladimir believed to be prominent in all narrative's were absent, and after searching for numerous video's I have seen that Vladimir's theory has many flaws in its anatomy.  As  a result I have concluded that it is very rare for this theory to be completely applicable in music video's.