Propp's Character Theory

Vladimir Propp thinks that all narratives contain the same character types who all contribute something towards the narrative. These are the character types:

• Protagonist - Leads the narrative, tries to solve the disruption.
• Antagonist - Tries to prevent the protagonist from achieving resolution.
• Dispatcher - Someone who gives the quest to the hero and/or sends them on their quest.
• Princess/Prize - A male or female prize for the protagonist.
• Helper - A character whose job is to help the protagonist (often a sidekick).
• Donor - A character who gives the protagonist something which helps them in their quest.

I took Propp's character theory and applied it to our viewing of Steven Spielberg's Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. Here are my findings:

Protagonist

• Young Indy - He takes the cross from the miners because he believes it should be placed in a museum for everyone's benefit rather than being made part of a private collection.
• Indiana Jones - He is the character that the audience is meant to identify with. He battles for resolution and creates a new equilibrium in the story.

Antagonist

• Miners - They are taking the cross for their own benefit when it should be put in a museum. When Indy tries to do just that, they chase him down and get the cross back.
• Panama Hat (Man in White Suit) - He is trying to take the cross for his own benefit.
• Dr. Elsa Schneider - Elsa reveals herself to be an antagonist when she is pretending to be held hostage by one of the Nazis and reveals herself as being on their side when Indiana slides his father's notebook to her.
• Walter Donovan - Donovan turns out to be on the Nazi's side as well and is only trying to find the Holy Grail to help them.
• Nazi General - He tries to torture Indiana and his father.

Dispatcher

• Walter Donovan - He sends Indiana on his quest for the Holy Grail in the first place.
• Henry Jones - He makes Indiana go to Berlin to get his notebook back.

Princess/Prize

• Dr. Elsa Schneider - She needed to be rescued from the Nazis.

Helper

• Marcus Brody - He helps Indiana in Venice.
• Dr. Elsa Schneider - She acts as Indiana and Marcus' guide in Venice.
• Sallah - He does a lot of fighting and sourcing for Indiana on his quest.

Donor

• Henry Jones - He gives Indiana his notebook, which provides Indiana with essential cues on his quest for the Holy Grail.