Narrative Analysis

Looking at Vladimir Propp's theory of characters, which is a well known idea used by most Directors be it in a comic book, film or game. 

I applied this theory to different films, first focusing on Disney classics Lion King and The Little Mermaid:

The Lion King:

VILLIAN: Scar

DISPATACHER:Scar 

HELPER: Timon and Pumba, Mufasa

PRINCESS: Nala, freedom from scar/ hyenas 

DONOR: Zazu, Timon and Pumba

HERO: Simba

FALSE HERO: Scar

The Little Mermaid:

VILLIAN:Ursula

DISPATACHER:Ursula

HELPER:Flounder

PRINCESS:Ariel

DONOR: Sebastien 

HERO:Eric

FALSE HERO:Ursula.

just from using disney films alone, I could see that characters could overlap on their roles for example in the little mermaid Ursula is the villian, dispatcher and the false hero.

To show that it isn't just Disney that follows these character roles i decided to look at the Harry Potter film series:

VILLIAN: Voldemort as he tries to kill Harry and rule the world

DISPATACHER: Dumbledore as he guides Harry to defeat Voldemort 

HELPER: Ron and Hermione, as they help him along his journey to defeating Voldemort

PRINCESS: Ginny as she gets saved by Harry and eventually marries Harry. Also the defeat of Voldemort
DONOR: Dumbledore as he helps Harry to try to defeat Voldemort

HERO: Harry Potter, he tries to defeat Voldemort and restore the equilibrium in the wizarding world.

FALSE HERO: Draco Malfoy as he, on multiple occasions, tries to take credit for Harry's actions. 

When looking at narrative analysis you have to look at more than just the character roles. You have to include:

• Setting
• Characters
• Binary Opposition
• Emotion Content 
• Enigma Codes
• Equilibrium- disequilibrium- new equilibrium 
• Themes

I applied this to the Hulk comic book.

It was set in the desert shown by the cacti, and the sandy floor which suggests the desert possibly in America.

The main character is Bruce Banner/The Hulk. Who is the Hero/Villain. The alter-ego Bruce Banner/ The Hulk is the binary opposites.

The narrative shows an equilibrium-disequilibrium-new equilibrium which is: The Hulk on the ground- The attack on the Hulk- Hulk being with the girl (princess character) after being attacked.

I would say that the theme of this narrative would be the constant fighting action. The emotional aspects expressed in order to get the viewers attention  would be the Hulk bringing in a civilian into the fight. The enigma codes would be 'Will the Hulk save the civilian?'