Narrative theories

Media

Tzvetan Todorov

Todorov proposed that for all films and TVprogrammes all have a basic structure.

• All narratives begin with an equilibrium (where everything is balanced; either good, bad or neutral)

• This is then followed by a disruption; either to do with the character or an action

• The protagonist realises that there’s a problem and tries to restore it

• Later on, this disruption is resolved with a resolution at the end which then sets a new equilibrium

Bulgarian structuralist/philosopher, 1960s and onwards.

Applying Todorov’s theoryIn

films 27 Dresses1st stage – Equilibrium

One of the protagonist characters is a lonely wedding planner who’s looking for ‘Mr Right’2nd stage – Disruption

She’s upset because her dream guy (her boss) is taken by her sister and a journalist wants to write a bad article about her or else he’ll lose his job

The journalist and the girl fall in love and screws the article about the woman

3rd stage – Resolution

Applying Todorov’s theoryIn

films The Hangover1st stage – Equilibrium

2nd stage – Disruption

3rd stage – Resolution

One of the main characters is suppose to be getting married, two days before as a ‘stag do’ him and his friends decide to go to Las Vegas

The group are drugged and wake up the next morning not knowing what happened the night after. The groom is lost, so they all go on a journey to look for their friend, along the way they over come people to help them discover the events of the night before They find their friend and return home just in time for the wedding.

Vladimir ProppRussian critic and folklorist, 1920s and onwards.

Propp studied Russian fairytales, which he later came in conclusion that there are always eight characters present. He then applied this to fiction and films 1. Villain - who tries to stop the hero from reaching his goal

2. Hero - who is seeking something3. Donor – who gives the hero an item of

power 4. Helper – who aids the hero5. Princess – either a person or something

that given to the hero as an award 6. Her father – who rewards the hero7. Dispatcher - who sends the hero on his

journey 8. False hero

Applying Propp’s theoryStar Wars

The heroLuke Skywalker

The villain

Darth Vader

The donor

Obi WanThe helperThe princess

LeiaThe dispatcher

The false hero

The fatherLeia’s father

NeoThe heroThe villain

AgentsThe princessThe helper

Trinity

The dispatcher

MorpheusThe donorThe false hero

Cypher

The Matrix

In films

Applying Propp’s theoryPropp’s theory can applied

to all kinds of narrative

• For example, in TV news the audience are exposed to “heroes” and “villains” – Osama Bin Laden (villain) or Princess Diana (hero)

In the news

Christopher VoglerHollywood development executive

Vogler analysed a range of films for Hollywood film companies. His explanation of character archetypes and the 12 stages of the hero’s journey in films have become incredibly influential in Hollywood.

Here is a visual picture of Vogler’s theory

Christopher VoglerStages to this theory

1.Ordinary World - The hero's normal world before the story begins

2.Call to Adventure - The hero is presented with a problem, challenge or adventure

3.Refusal of the Call - The hero refuses the challenge or journey, usually because he's scared

4. Meeting with the Mentor - The hero meets a mentor to gain advice or training for the adventure

5. Crossing the First Threshold- The hero crosses leaves the ordinary world and goes into the special world

6. Tests, Allies, Enemies - The hero faces tests, meets allies, confronts enemies & learn the rules of the special world

Christopher VoglerStages to this theory cont.

7. Approach - The hero has hit setbacks during tests & may need to try a new idea

8. Ordeal - The biggest life or death crisis

9. Reward - The hero has survived death, overcomes his fear and now earns the reward 10. The Road Back - The hero must return to the Ordinary World

11. Resurrection Hero - another test where the hero faces death – he has to use everything he's learned

12. Return with Elixir - The hero returns from the journey with the “elixir”, and uses it to help everyone in the Ordinary World

Claude Levi-StraussFrench anthropologist and ethnologist

After a long period of time of studying hundreds of myths and legends from around the globe, Levi-Strauss presented people and events through the understanding of binary oppositions. These binary oppositions set opposite values. Levi-Strauss wasn’t concerned about the order of events but in more dept about their themes. Example of binary oppositions are:Good VSEvil

BlackVSWhite

Boy VSGirl

Peace VSWarCivilisedVSSavage