propp’s narrative theory the adjustment bureau

PROPP’S NARRATIVE THEORY

APPLIED TO “THE ADJUSTMENT BUREAU”

HERO

• DAVID NORRIS

• HE IS THE MAIN PROTAGONIST IN THE FILM

• HIS MAIN GOAL IS TO “WIN” THE PRINCESS, ELISE, IN THE HOPE OF A “HAPPILY EVER AFTER”.

• HE MUST FACE MANY OBSTACLES, INCLUDING THE VILLAIN/FALSE HERO, THOMPSON, WHO HE MUST OVERCOME TO ACHIEVE HIS AIM.

PRINCESS

• ELISE SELLAS

• SHE IS THE MAIN FEMALE CHARACTER AND IS IN NEED OF “SAVING” BY

DAVID, FROM THE MEMBERS OF THE ADJUSTMENT BUREAU.

• SHE COULD BE CONSIDERED MORE OF A HEROINE AS SHE IS A STRONG CHARACTER AND DOES FIGHT BACK, BUT SHE ULTIMATELY RELIES ON DAVID FOR HER SAFETY AND THEIR FATE TOGETHER.

• HARRY

• HE IS A MEMBER OF THE ADJUSTMENT BUREAU WHO HAS SIDED WITH DAVID, AND WANTS TO HELP HIM AND ELISE BE TOGETHER DESPITE THE OTHER MEMBERS EXPLICITLY SAYING THAT THEY CANNOT BE ALLOWED TO STAY WITH EACH OTHER.

• HE GIVES DAVID A HAT THAT AIDS HIM IN EVADING CAPTURE FROM THE BUREAU, WHICH HE USES IN AN ATTEMPT TO REACH ELISE.

DONOR/HELPER/DISPATCHER

VILLAIN/FALSE HERO

• THOMPSON

• HE IS THE HEAD OF THOSE TRYING TO SEPARATE DAVID AND ELISE.

• HE MUST BE DEFEATED IN ORDER FOR THE PROTAGONIST TO REACH HIS GOAL.

• THOMPSON HAS LIED TO DAVID AND TOLD HIM THAT HE CAN’T STAY WITH ELISE, OR IT WILL KILL BOTH OF THEIR HOPES AND DREAMS, AND THAT LEAVING HER IS FOR THE BETTER.