Seven Applied Theories

By Dan Stean

Propps Theory
Vladimir Propp (1895-1970) studied folk tales and found fairy tales shared shared basic narrative elements. He proposed ways of grouping characters and their actions into eight broad character types or spheres of action. The categories include villain, hero, donor, helper, princess, father, dispatcher and the false hero. Villain John Doe. They are known o scriptwriters as the antagonist because he seeks to stop the hero what they want to do. Hero Somerset/ Mills. They are known as the protagonist who has to fulfil his destiny in the story. They may be a certain quest for fame. Fortune or love. Donor Somerset. The donor is the character who provides a special devices that the hero can fulfil is or her mission. Helper Somerset. The helper is the heros sidekick who helps the hero in the quest. Princess Tracy Mills. The princess is the reward for the hero and often the desire of the antagonist who seeks to involve her in his schemes to out with the hero. Father Somerset. The person who rewards the hero for his achievement and also can provide a moral safeguard for the hero to be measured against. Dispatcher police captain. False Hero

Todorovs Theory

At the very start of the film there will be a state of equilibrium (balance and peace). Then this equilibrium with get disturbed by an event. The disequilibrium will then be recognised and then an attempt to repair it will happen. A new equilibrium will happen. This theory can be applied to seven as there is a state of equilibrium at the start of seven. An example of this is that detective Somerset is retiring and a young new officer is coming in called David Mills. There is a disequilibrium when they hear about a death which is linked to a sin. They both then try and solve ach of the deaths about each sin until they come to John Doe whos the villain. The new equilibrium is stored David Mills kills John Doe and ends the seven sins/ deaths.

Claude Levi-Strauss

When Levi Strauss studied and observed loads of different myths and legends around the world, he realised people events are seen by binary opposites everywhere. He realised all narrative are organised round the conflict between such binary opposites. Opposites include good vs. evil, young vs. old etc. Examples of binary opposites within Seven are good vs. evil, crime vs. law and young (John Doe) vs young (David Mills)