Assignment 8-Narrative theory

Amy Cleary

Part A: TodorovPart B: Levi-StraussPart C:BarthesPart D: Propp

1. Equilibrium- this is normality.

2. Disequilibrium- action or event which causes

conflict.

3. Recognition of disequilibrium- the main struggle.

4. Attempt to restore the damage.

5. New equilibrium.

Part A-Todorvo

Equilibrium

In the beginning Rose and Cal board the Titanic.

Cal finds out Rose cheated with Jack.

The Titanic hits an iceberg and sinks.

Most woman and children get put onto the life boats.

Rose survives and tries to move on.

Disequilibrium Recognition of disequilibrium

Attempt to restore the damage

New equilibrium

Part B-Levi-Strauss

Levi-Strauss believed that our world is binary

opposites. Themes in real life and in stories

have differences.

Such as:

• Dark/light

• Girl/boy

• Good/bad

• Sun/rain

Strauss believed these oppositions are crucial

to our ability to make meanings of our lives.

Film Opposite 1 Opposite 2 Explanation

“Crash” Drama Innocent-ThandieNewton

Violation-MattDillion

Both opposite sex however one is innocent and the other is harmful.

“The Pact” Horror Good-Caity Lotz Bad-Mark Steger One is good and the other is evil and a murderer.

“The Dark Knight Rises”-Action

Superhero-Christian Bale

Villain – Tom Hardy

The superhero saves the people from being killed by the villain.

Part C-Barthes

• Barthes theory is similar to Torvodo. He believes the

audiences experience of narrative involves

anticipation and expectation of a resolution to the

disruption or conflict.

• His theory encourages the audience to seek clues

and answers and to make them look forward to

what happens.

Enigma• Enigma in films is when the film leaves the audience

wondering because we cant see what the

character.

“Cabin in the woods”

What is this?Why is it there?

Action code

• Certain codes of behaviour or actions that lead the audience

to expect assured outcomes.

Romance Horror/thriller Action

• Couple know they cant be together because they live in different countries.

• A woman has a spirit inside her and she tries to fight it off.

• A mans daughter and her friend get kidnapped.

Assumption• They will move in together and fall in love.

Assumption• She will get rid of it and everything will be okay.

Assumption• She will get rescued.

Colour= Green

Green surroundings = nature.

Foods=Raw green foods represent health and well being.

Peace=Represents peace and harmony.

Symbolic code

• The symbolic code is the real meaning behind what

is happening in the scene with the characters and

their different actions.

Cultural code• Cultural code is used to improve our reading and

understanding of the text, also where the film is set

would help our understanding stronger. The

costumes used would enhance the audiences

knowledge.

Part D: Propp• After studying folklore, legends and fairy tales Propp noticed

there is many similarities within them, this is the character types

and same sort of problems. Propp has two theories, the first one is “7 spheres of action” and they are :

• Hero

• Villain

• Dispatcher

• Donor

• Helper

• Heroine

• False hero

Hero

• The hero is always on a type of mission or search

rescue. It was often that a male would play the

hero as they are strong, however it has become a

lot more common for it to be female hero's.

The hero in the dark knight rises is the dark knight.

Villain• The villain is always an enemy of the hero and

causes destruction and damage. They usually take

something precious from the hero to hold against

them.

The villain in the dark knight rises is “Bane”.

Dispatcher

• The dispatcher is the one who gives the hero advice

and helps them in order for them to complete their

mission.

Donor• The donor is the person which is created by the

story which the characters come across and

experience.

Helper• The helper is the person who is like a sidekick to the

hero throughout their journey.

Cat woman in the dark knight rises is a helper of the dark knight.

Heroine• Usually referred to as “princess” in fairy tales. Mostly

female but not always.

• Is the most vulnerable characters a needs rescuing

by a heroic strong male.

• Usually falls in love with the hero at the end.

False hero• This is the person who pretends to help the hero but

leads them the wrong way so they can be the hero.

Diegesis• The diegesis is the internal world created by the

story which the characters come across and

experience.

Narrative Range• Unrestricted narration

• This is a narrative which has no limits and the

characters give away as much information as

possible, they are not hiding any information. E.g. a

newspaper.

• Restricted Narration

• Only offers minimal information and doesn’t give

much away to the audience.