NARRATIVE STRUCTURE TRISTAN TODOROV Events in a story have a causal relationship with one event leading to an other in a pattern of cause and effect. The very notion of ‘cause and effect’ implies a change in a state of affairs. For Todorov, the primary function of narrative is to solve a problem. It is this that forms the basis of Todorov’s theory of narrative. His model begins with a state of equilibrium, a condition in which everything is in a state of order. This state of equilibrium is disrupted either by a force of some kind or through the actions of an individual. The narrative progresses to a restoration of equilibrium, or order. Todorov breaks the narrative process down into five stages • A state of equilibrium at the outset • A disruption of the equilibrium by some action • A recognition that there has been a disruption • An attempt to repair the disruption • A reinstatement of the initial equilibrium.

TODOROV APPLIED TO BATMAN

A state of equilibrium at the outset

A disruption of the equilibrium by some action

A recognition that there has been a disruption

An attempt to repair the disruption

A reinstatement of the initial equilibrium.