Activity 3.13
January 23, 2026
Instructions:
Return to the TV drama that you used in Activity 3.7. Can you identify any of Propp's character types?
Evaluate the usefulness of Propp's theory:
-Are there any limiting factors?
-Do any characters not fit the mould?
-Do any characters signify a change in society from a social and cultural perspective?
My Response: The film being How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days
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Through Propps character types, I could identify Lana, Andie's boss, as the
dispatcher, as she set up her bet. As well as Bens co-workers who set him up
on his own bet. Ben and Andie's friends would be the helpers as they helped
develop the plot and gave advice along the way. At the end oof the movie,
Ben's friend hands Ben the magazine page Andie wrote about him and
encouraged him to read it and go after her, therefore in this context he can be
seen as the donor in a way.
• However, like every other theory, Propps theory has many limitations one
being not taking account for the readers' perspective and cultural context. In
other words, how well the message and storyline came across different
readers and its significance to them.
• If you really think about it and apply this theory throughout the entire film
and in every action taken, yes, every character can be looked at as one of
these types one or more times. I feel as though Andie and Bens' love story is
a perfect representation of newer generations of love and the new
expectations around finding love. A situation as complex as this one would
have never even been thought of in earlier years when love was seen as
something so much different.