Homework: Genre and Narrative Analysis

Wild Child

I chose to analyse Wild Child as it is a great chic-flick which includes elements of comedy and drama.




Propp's character types

HERO - Poppy. She changes from a Malibu princess to a member of the Abbey Mount boarding school in England. The film follows her journey of trying to get expelled and then realising she actually wants to stay at Abbey Mount after making friends and finding out that her mum also went to the same school.

VILLAIN - Harriet. She is always trying to get Poppy ) into trouble with the headmistress and she tries to frame her in the ‘Honour Court’ in this clip. Harriet is jealous of her as she is prettier, more popular and catches the eye of Freddie Kingsley whom she also likes. The arguments between Poppy and Harriet are comical and engage the audience with the film e.g. when Harriet dumps rubbish on Poppy. Their binary opposites make their encounters even more hilarious.


PRINCE (IN THIS CASE) - Freddie Kingsley (the headmistress' son) - Gender roles have been reversed as the villain and hero are female. They both like the prince, Freddie and in the end Poppy gets Freddie.

HELPERS - Her friends Kate, Drippy, Josie and Kiki. In this clip they realise that she is innocent and try to help her. At first they help her to do things to get expelled and this brings them closer together.

Narrative Theory

Equilibrium - Poppy and the English girls become friends and are getting on, go shopping and go to the school dance and enjoy themselves. (MAIN - Poppy living a lavish lifestyle in Malibu throwing parties and having a great time with mates and shopping)

Disruption:In this clip, it is where Poppy is taken to Honour Court and could be expelled. However, the main scene of disruption in the film is when Poppy throws her dad's girlfriend's  expensive clothes into the sea and this leads to her dad sending her to boarding school in England which is where the narrative progresses.

Restoration: When Harriet accidentally talks about a lighter that no-one has mentioned before and gets herself expelled. Poppy, KAte, Drippy, Josie and Kiki go on to play and win a lacrosse game and Poppy continues at Abbey Mount school going out with Poppy and shows her dad she has become a better person and is no longer full of attitude. (MAIN - makes friends enjoys herself. Most of the film is based around the 'restoration')