How does 'The Birds' by Alfred Hitchcock conform to or subvert the narrative theories of Todorov and Propp?

Firstly outlined in the opening scene is our protagonist or, based on the theory of Propp our ‘hero’. Unconventionally however, our hero challenges the typical conventions outlined in Propp’s theory, as she is female, and the romantic chase is actually for a ‘prince’ rather a ‘princess’. Some may argue that it is the male dominant character that is the hero as he suits the conventions, however the theory states the hero is found as being on a ‘quest’ or ‘pursuit’ thus proving that it is the female protagonist that is the hero, as initially her pursuit was to take lovebirds to the sister of the prince, in order to gain a reward. The villain is clearly shown in ‘The Birds’ as obviously, the birds, as they attack, and prevent the hero on her journey. There is no clear father, or dispatcher in the film, however, it could be argued that the hero’s mother plays both these parts, as, at the climax it is the mother whom sends the hero on her task of saving the school children and it is the mother who rewards the hero with her son, the prince. Similarly there is no clear donor, however, you could say that ‘Annie’ clearly the helper, as she helps the hero to save the children, could be seen as the donor, as she seems to give the hero a knowledge that brings her closer to the prince, aiding her on her journey. Finally, is the false hero, I do not believe that there is a clear false hero in this film, however, I do feel that ‘Annie’ the helper does initially show signs of being a false hero, as she seems to show some feelings towards the prince. This leads me to believe that Hitchcock has played with the conventions of Propps theory to enhance the theatrical elements of his film, making it more intriguing.

Todorov’s theory however seems much more fitting with ‘The Birds’ as, the film begins with a typical calm atmosphere. Although there is a quite discomfort in opening credits of the birds squawking and the opening shots of birds flying, this is merely foreshadowing of the disequilibrium to come.  There is a small discomfort in the fact that the hero and prince have a small argument, however, this kind of converse doesn’t seem to uncomfortable for the hero, meaning there isn’t any clear discomfort, and it is still fitting with Todorov’s theory. On the hero’s quest there is then a typical ‘disruption’ that marks the beginning of the disequilibrium, which begins with a bird biting the head of the hero, making her bleed out, this imagery signifies the beginning of the disequilibrium. The disequilibrium in the play, is the most climatic part; when they are stuck inside the house with the birds attacking. Later however, the hero and the others overcome this and the situation begins to repair, creating a new equilibrium or typically a ‘happy ending’.