Star Wars and Propps Narrative Structure

Task: here are some key actions from Propps narrative structure theory. Add what happens in Star Wars to match up to it.
Propps theory says...
PREPARATION

a community or family is in an
ordered state of being

COMPLICATION

the villain harms a member of

the heros family

In Star Wars...

the hero plans action against

the villain
TRANSFERENCE

the hero is given a magical gift

the hero arrives at the place he
can fulfil his quest

STRUGGLE

there is a struggle between the

hero and the villain

RETURN

the hero escapes

a task is set for the hero
the hero accomplishes the task

RECOGNITION

the hero is rewarded

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Star Wars and Propps Narrative Structure

(Teachers copy)
Task: here are some key actions from Propps narrative structure theory. Add what happens in Star Wars to match up to it.

Propps theory says...

In Star Wars...

PREPARATION

a community or family is in an
ordered state of being

Luke is happy at home on the farm with his aunt and uncle, although he
would like to go to flying school. They buy C3P0 and R2D2

COMPLICATION

the villain harms a member of

the heros family

While meeting Obi-Wan, the Empire (under orders from Darth Vader) has
killed Lukes family. The Empire have also kidnapped Princess Leia

the hero plans action against

the villain

Luke agrees to travel with Obi-Wan to return plans to the Rebellion and
therefore revenging himself against the Empire

the hero is given a magical gift

Obi-Wan gives Luke his fathers light sabre and tells him he must learn the
ways of the Force and become a Jedi

the hero arrives at the place he

can fulfil his quest

After hiring Han Solo and Chewbacca, they arrive at Alderaan but it has been
destroyed by the Death Star; the Millennium Falcon is captured by the
Empire

STRUGGLE

there is a struggle between the

hero and the villain

After a fight with the Empire Luke and Han rescue Leia; Obi-Wan fights Darth
Vader but is killed

RETURN

the hero escapes

The Millennium Falcon with Luke, Leia, Han, Chewie and the Droids with the
Death Star plans escape and return to the rebel base

a task is set for the hero

Luke and the other pilots must destroy the Death Star before it is in range to
destroy the rebel base

the hero accomplishes the task

Luke, with spiritual help from Obi-Wan and the Force, manages to destroy
the Death Star; he is helped by Han

the hero is rewarded

Luke and Han are given medals for their part in destroying the Death Star

TRANSFERENCE

RECOGNITION

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Star Wars and Propps Narrative Structure

An analysis of the characters
Each box is a paragraph of your essay; included are some sentence starters you may like to use but you can add your
own or change these. Remember to write in detail.

Introduction to Star Wars the film and its background

Star Wars: A New Hope was released in ...
It was directed and written by...
Audiences liked...
Since 1977...
Luke Skywalker what he does that makes him the hero, how other devices (costume, music,
camera angle, etc.) contribute to what the audience thinks of him
Luke is the...
The hero should...
This is shown when Luke...
When the audience first see him...
His costume is...
The music...
This shows...
By the end of the film...
Princess Leia what she does that makes her the Princess, how other devices contribute to what
the audience thinks of her
Leia is the...
The Princess should...
When the audience first see her...
Her costume is...
The music...
This shows...
By the end of the film...
Darth Vader what he does that makes him the villain, how other devices contribute to what the
audience thinks of him
Darth Vader is the...
The villain should...
This is shown when ...
When the audience first see him...
His costume is...
The music...
The camera angle is...
This shows...
By the end of the film...

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Star Wars and Propps Narrative Structure

Obi-Wan Kenobe what he does that makes him the donor and the dispatcher, how other devices
contribute to what the audience thinks of him
Obi-Wan can be thought of as the...
The dispatcher should...
This is shown when...
He can also be the ... because...
When the audience first see him...
By the end of the film...
Han Solo what he does that makes him the helper, how other devices contribute to what the
audience thinks of him; also what makes us think he could be a false hero
Han Solo is ...
This is shown when...
He could also be the... because...
When the audience first see him...
By the end of the film...
The Droids what they do that make them helpers, how other devices contribute to what the
audience thinks of them
The Droids are...
Helpers should...
This is shown when...
When the audience first see them...
By the end of the film...
Conclusion on how useful Propps theory is to understand the characters better
Overall, it is useful to use Propps theory with Star Wars because...

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Star Wars and Propps Narrative Structure

GCSE Media Essay - The characters in Star Wars
NAME

ROLE

WHEN WE FIRST SEE THEM

COSTUME

MUSIC

DURING THE FILM

BY THE END

ACTION

Luke
Skywalker

Princess
Leia

Obi-Wan
Kenobe

Han Solo

Darth
Vader

C3PO &
R2D2

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