Narrative Research Assignment

By Nkechi Chukwumah

Tzvetan TodorovTzvetan Todorov Narrative theory studies the devices and conventions governing the

organisation of a story (fictional or factual) into a sequence. Todorov suggested that stories begin with an equilibrium or status quo

where any potentially opposing forces are in balance. This is disrupted by some event, setting in chain a series of events.

Problems are solved so that order can be restored to the world of the fiction.

This is the case for most films.

Below is Tzvetan Todorov conventional narrative structure complete with five stages:

Stage 1A state of equilibrium is defined.

Stage 2Disruption to the equilibrium by some action or crisis.

Stage 3The Character(s) recognition that there has been a disruption, setting goals to resolve problem.

Stage 4 The Character(s) attempt to repair the disruption, obstacles need to be overcome to restore order.

Stage 5Reinstatement to the equilibrium. Situation is resolved, a conclusion is announced.

Vladimir ProppVladimir Propp Vladimir ‘s theory was based on the work of the Russian Formalists. Propp

used Russian Folktales as the basis for his theory but it can be applied to all types of fiction as well as many movies. The basic premise is that there are several basic archetypes that appear in many films, and that they all play very similar roles.

These characters are: The Hero - who is seeking something The Villain - who tries to stop the hero from achieving his goal The Donor - who gives the Hero an item of power The Helper - Who aids the Hero The Princess - This could be a person or thing, which acts as an award for

the hero The Dispatcher - Who sends the hero on his Journey The Father - Who rewards the Hero However, sometimes, some of the characters do not fit

The Dark Knight- Example:

The “Hero”

The “Villain”

“Donor & Helper”

The “Dispatcher”

The “Princess” The “Father”

Claude Lévi-StraussClaude Lévi-Strauss Levi-Strauss looked at narrative structure in terms of binary oppositions. An example would be GOOD and EVIL – we understand the concept of

GOOD as being the opposite of EVIL. Levi –Strauss was not so interested in looking at the order in which events

were arranged in the plot. He looked instead for deeper arrangements of themes. For example, if we look at Science Fiction films we can identify a series of

binary oppositions which are created by the narrative:

Earth Space

Good Evil

Humans Aliens

Past Present

Normal Strange

Known Unknown

Meanings: Equilibrium- A sense of calm. Disequilibrium- When there is conflict New Equilibrium- When equilibrium is restored Binary Opposition- These are sets of opposite values which

reveal the structure of media texts. Flashbacks- A literary or cinematic device in which an earlier

event is inserted into the normal chronological order of a narrative.

Flash forwards- A literary or cinematic device in which the chronological sequence of events is interrupted by the interjection of a future event.

Characters = Stereotypes and structure/purposes