INTRODUCTION TO NARRATIVE STRUCTURE

Narrative structure is the way a story is told

There are three different ways a narrative can be structured:

Circular – This is when the story begins with the end of the narrative. A common

example of this is Titanic

Episodic – Similar to how storybooks, break into chapters, the episodic

narrative structure typically follows a chronological order however different

aspects of viewpoints are told in different chapters and may disturb the order.

And example of this is Forest Gump.

Linear – Linear structure is the most used, the most common example is a

Disney fairytale. It follows a chronological structure of beginning, middle and

end.

TODOROV’S THEORY

Todorov says that to every story there is a simple beginning,

middle and end structure

This theory is perfectly valid, however only applies to a linear

narrative, such as fairytales. Since many gangster films do not

follow a simple linear pattern, I will not use a linear narrative.

Notable mob films that go against Todorov’s theory are

Goodfellas and Pulp Fiction.

Equilibrium

Disequilibrium

Acknowledgement

of problem

Attempt to resolve

problem

Restoration

of NEW

Equilibrium

PROPP’S THEORY

Propp states that every story only ever has 8 different types of characters.. Take Finding Nemo

The Villain – usually the cause of the disequilibrium in the narrative – Diver

The donor – Prepares the hero/gives the hero a magical object – Turtles, fish

The helper – Helps the hero in the quest, sidekick? - Dory

The princess/prize/victim – the victim/one in need of ‘saving’, can be an object valuable to hero -

Nemo

The princess’ father – gives the task to the hero – Diver again?

The hero – reacts to the donor – Marlin

The false hero – tries to take credit for the hero’s actions

Most films follow this character theory however not all characters are always present. Especially in

mob films, sometimes the ‘quest’ isn’t clear or there isn’t one.

LEVI’S THEORY

Levi says that all films contain binary

opposites

Love VS hate

Red VS Blue

Opposite themes such as good v evil,

power v weakness, crime v justice

and rich v poor are all apparent in

gangster films

However, the gangster genre challenges

this theory as both ‘sides’ of the

themes are not always present at all

times.

In this example, Harry is the

protagonist and Lord

Voldemort is the antagonist.

This image is very effective

as it clearly shows the binary

opposite between the two

characters, good v evil,

young v old, innocent v

corrupted

NARRATIVE STRUCTURES IN GANGSTER FILMS

The gangster genre is interesting when compared to other genres’ narrative structures. Since

most ‘heroes’ in gangster films hold aspects expected of the ‘villain’. This makes it hard to

clearly identify the protagonist.

Most gangster films follow the rise and fall of a particular character anyway. He starts off

small, and willing to enter the criminal world, then goes from weak to powerful and maybe

even replacing the boss over time. The gangster is finally destroyed and is given in to the

hands of justice.

They follow Levi’s theory as extreme opposites are usually expressed through the film such

as rich to poor and weak to powerful.

Despite not always following a linear-Todorov narrative structure, Gangster films often still

hold onto a bit of classical hollywood structure as the main character is usually fuelled by

a goal or aim. Often it’s ambitious, like striving to achieve the American Dream of wealth

and riches.

NARRATIVE STRUCTURE FOR MY OPENINGFor my opening, I think I will use an episodic narrative structure. This is

because many film noir’s such as “The Killers” use a non-linear narrative structure as it features extended flashbacks. It makes the film feel as if though it is being told from the character’s memories. It unravels complicated events and can present these events in the perspectives of different characters. This is not only more entertaining to watch, the film becomes less predictable and allows the audience to identify with a number of different characters as they feel they ‘know their side of the story.

I don’t think Tordov’s theory will help me in my film however I will use Levi’s theory and build binary opposites about power and traditions as this is common in Film Noir. Propp’s theory I will use to help assign the characters.