3. Tzvetan Todorov Theory
Tzvetan Todorov theory simplified the idea of the narrative theory whilst
also allowing a more complex interpretation of film texts with his ideas of
Equilibrium and Disequilibrium
There are five stages to Todorov Narrative Theory
1. A state of equilibrium(The fictional environment within the films text
is as it should be)
2. A disruption of the equilibrium(Something has disrupted the order in
the fictional environment this is usually caused by an event)
3. A recognition of the disequilibrium(Characters within the fictional
environment have recognised the threat posed by the
disequilibrium)
4. An attempt to repair the equilibrium(Characters within the fictional
environment try and put things back to the way they were)
5. Equilibrium is restored or a new equilibrium is
established(Characters within the fictional environment are
successful in the attempts to repair the equilibrium returning things
to the way they were or by accepting a new equilibrium)
4. Tzvetan Todorov Theory
Todorov theory sees the narrative not as a linear
structure but a circular one. The narrative is only
driven by attempts to restore the equilibrium.
However was the equilibrium is restored at the
of the story it is not quite identical to that at the
beginning. The disruption causing the
disequilibrium is usually considered out of place
not part of the social norms or social framework
for example a murder taking place.
5. Vladimir Propp Narrative Theory
Vladimir Propp based his own narrative theory on fairy tale which he saw had
the same basic structure. With the same stock characters. Propp identified a
theory about characters and actions as narrative functions. The characters
function was to provide structure for the text.
Characters in Propp’s theory that perform a function
1. The Hero – a character that seeks something
2. The Villain – who opposes or actively blocks the hero’s quest
3. The Donor – who provides an object with magical properties
4. The Dispatcher – who sends the hero on his/her quest via a message
5. The False Hero – who disrupts the hero’s success by making false claims
6. The Helper – who aids the hero
7. The Princess – acts as the reward for the hero and the object of the
villain’s plots
8. Her Father – who acts to reward the hero for his effort
6. Vladimir Propp Narrative Theory
Action as functions of narrative Preparation
1. A community/kingdom/family is in an ordered state of being
2. A member of the community/kingdom/family leaves home
3. A warning is given to the leaders of the community or a rule is imposed
on the hero
4. The warning is discounted/ the rule is broken
5. The villain attempts to discover something about the victim of the
broken rule
6. The villain tries to deceive the victim to gain advantage
7. The victim unwittingly helps the villain
Complication the state of disorder
1. A state of disorder
2. The villain harms a member of the community/kingdom/family
3. One of the members of the community/kingdom/family desires
something
4. The hero is sent to get what is desired
5. The hero plans action against the villain
7. Vladimir Propp Narrative Theory
Transference
1. The hero leaves home
2. The hero is tested or attacked/ he meets the test and is
given a magical gift or helper
3. The hero reacts to the donor
4. The hero arrives at the place he can fulfil his quest
Struggle
1. There is a struggle between the hero and the villain
2. The hero is branded
3. The villain is overcome
4. The state of disorder is settled
8. Vladimir Propp Narrative Theory
Return
1. The hero returns
2. The hero is pursued
3. The hero escapes or is rescued
4. The hero arrives home and is not recognised
5. A false hero claims rewards
6. A task is set for the hero
7. The task is accomplished
Recognition
1. The hero is recognised
2. The false hero or villain is unmasked
3. The false hero is punished
4. The hero attains the reward (princess/ kingdom)
9. Cluade Levi-Strauss Binary
Oppositions
Cluade Levi Strauss binary oppositions are sets of
opposite values which reveal the structure of media
texts for example Good and Evil
We understand the concept of Good being the
complete opposite to Evil. Strauss himself was not
interested in at the order in which events in the
narrative were arranged. Strauss tried to look for a
deeper meaning within the arrangements of theme.
Strauss theory also ties in dominant ideology.
Dominant Ideology is the common values shared by
most people within a society.
10. Cluade Levi-Strauss Binary
Oppositions
The left hand side of the list falls into the category of dominant ideology
1. Male > Female
2. White > Black
3. Happy > Unhappy
4. Family > Single
5. Rich > Poor
6. Clever > Stupid
7. Ability > Disability
8. Protagonist > Antagonist
9. Humanity > Technology
10. Human > Alien
11. Love > Hate
12. Human > Nature
11. Roland Barthes Enigma
Roland Barthes believed that each person that looks
at a text receives and interprets it in a different way
therefore several different meanings can be made
from it. Barthes believed that texts could either be
‘open’ meaning they can have many meanings or
‘closed’ meaning there is only one main meaning.
Barthes proposed several narrative codes such as
‘enigma code’ this is the hook in the text which
needs to be resolved by the audience. Barthes also
believed that a text was made up of ‘signifiers’,
objects which bring meaning to the narrative.
12. Roland Barthes Enigma
Barthes also decided that the ideas that you try
and unravel meaning are called narrative
codes and that they could be categorised in the
following five ways
1. Action/Projarectic code and Enigma code
2. Symbols and Signs
3. Points of Cultural Reference
4. Simple description/reproduction
