Propp and "The Shining"

The 1980 film "The Shining" is one that fits many of the character and narrative functions of Vladimir Propp, the Russian theorist that presented the idea that many narratives feature the same or similar character roles and these are combined with reoccurring narrative functions.

Villain Jack - Jack is seen as the villain as he attempts to kill his family and successfully kills the hotels cook. He doesn't however begin as the villain and begins as a hero role but during the film this breaks down into a false hero and finally a villain

Donor & Helper - Dick Hallorann - Dick is the hotel's cook and despite being murdered in the film he is two of the important character types. He is the donor because he gives Danny knowledge of the "shining" ability and how to control it. He is also the helper role as he goes to save Wendy and Danny after Danny's shining alerts Dick's attention to the fact that there is trouble. He is also the helper in the fact he provides the snow cat that Wendy and Danny use to escape with at the end of the film.

Dispatcher - Mr Ullman - Mr Ullman, the hotel manager is the dispatcher in the film as he sets Jack's task and therefore dispatchers Jack on his mission.

Hero/ Victim - Danny & Wendy Danny and Wendy both posses the roles of Heroes and Victims in the film. Danny is seen as the Hero as he lures Jack into the maze and thinks of the retracing steps plan to fool Jack which ultimately causes Jack's death, he is also obviously the victim as Jack tries to kill him. Wendy is again, both Victim and Hero. She is a Hero as she knocks out Jack and locks him in the storage to provide safety for her and her son and then helps Danny escape from the bathroom window when Jack is trying to break into them. She again is the victim because Jack tries to kill her, and in fact could be see as more of a Victim that Danny as she has many moments in the film (The hitting Jack and stairs scene and the "Here's Johnny!" scene) where she is attacked and is the focused victim of Jack.

False Hero - Jack - Jack is the false hero as we believe that he is the Hero in the early film as the narrative features him heavily, but during the film he becomes more twisted and disturbing until the final scenes in the film when he becomes the Villain

Preparation
A member of family leaves home - Jack goes for the interview.
A prohibition or rule is set apon the hero - Danny is told not to enter room "237"

Complication
A member of the family lacks or desires something - Jack seems to have no ambitions and needs ideas for his writing


Transference
The Hero is attacked and therefore gains a helper or donor Danny gets attacked in room 237 and the Cook's shining tells him Danny needs help.
The Hero reacts to the actions of the future donor Danny begins seeing more visions, more horrific ones as Dick seems to get closer to the hotel
Hero uses magical agent Wendy uses the radio to stay in touch with the local authorities, when it is cut off they know something bad has happened

Struggle
The Hero and villain are joined in direct combat Wendy and Jack have the stuggle of the bat and fight
The Villain is defeated Jack freezes to death

Return
The hero returns Danny and Wendy are re-united
The Hero arrives home We assume Wendy and Danny head home.

Recognition
Villain is punished We see Jack has painfully frozen to death.