Hurt Locker- Character Entry



Staff Sergeant William James


PROPP'S THEORY He comes across as the 'Every-Man' with some heroic qualities, but also rather reckless at first. He is the main man when it comes to actually diffusing bombs, but he initially comes across as lacking in charisma and takes a few dangerous risks. He also acts as a father figure to Specialist, who he looks out for when Dr.Cambridge is killed in the line of duty. However, because of another reckless decision, Specialist is severely injured, and for that, he turns on him. By the end of the film, one may be more empathetic towards him.

BINARY THEORY He acts initially as a (somewhat villainous) foil for Sergeant Sanbourn, frustrating his plans and disrupting (what Sanbourn may consider) the natural order of things. However, by the end of the film, they reconcile their differences.

 Sergeant Sanbourn


PROPP'S THEORY Could be seen as a 'Hero', as well as an 'Every-Man', however considering the context of the film, there seems not to be just one specific heroic figure. He sets a good example for the other soldiers.

BINARY THEORY Compared to S.S.W.J (who is more of a dictator), Sanbourn is a natural leader who is stern and reminds him of both their places, which also reminds the viewer that they are not of equal ranking, as his job description technically makes him S.S.W.J's boss. They clash at first- and Sanbourn even cryptically talks about blowing him up to Eldridge during a mission- but get along well later on.

Specialist Owen Eldridge

BINARY THEORY He is looked after by S.S.W.J- who comforts him when Dr.Cambridge is shot in the line of duty, however, Specialist is rather aggressive towards him when he becomes seriously injured as a result of the Staff Sergeant's reckless actions and personal motives.

PROPP'S THEORY Is portrayed as the 'Innocent'. He is younger and seemingly less-experienced. Eldridge is naive, and takes it the hardest when a friend of his dies as he does not yet seem to grasp the concept that one should not necessarily get too attached to the people you enter the field with.

Colonel John Cambridge (Doctor)

BINARY THEORY Specialist calls him out for thinking he and the soldiers were on the same level. Eldridge- quite sarcastically points out that he seems to have had a costly education at an Ivy League school, and perhaps didn't know as much about being on the field as the others do.

PROPP'S THEORY Another 'Every Man' with some (false?) heroic qualities he only appears in the film a couple of times- and briefly, at that. He is seen to patronize the Iraqi locals by being falsely polite, quickly becoming impatient with them.