An Introduction to Narrative and four theoris

1. Narrativetheory Unit g325 - Section a –q1b

3. Character

4. Form

5. TimeIncludes information not shown story plot The key events Narrative = how is the story told? (as events unfold)

6. Narrative structure Linear Structure: Beginning Middle End (Audience introduced to (Events –story builds) (Closure) characters and story) Open Structure: The audience are left to wonder what happens next and make sense of it themselves (e.g. “Inception”) Closed Structure: Definite ending – clear conclusion for the audience Circular Structure: The narrative begins at the end events (often with the Beginning climax). The audience are taking on a journey arriving And end back where they started. (e.g. Pulp fiction) ? !

8. Roland Barthes

9. Tzvetan Todorov

10. Claude Levi-Strauss* You will only need to know one or two for your exam*

12. Villain (antagonist) tries to stop the hero (Darth Vader)

13. Princess love interest and/or object of the quest (Princess Leia)

14. Father person with knowledge (Leia)

15. Dispatcher sends the hero off (Obi Wan)

16. Donor gives the hero something to help him (Obi Wan)

17. Sidekick the helper (not as handsome as hero) –poss. comic relief (C3P0+)

20. Enigma Code

21. Semic Code

22. Symbolic Code

25. Disruption

26. Conflict

27. Resolution

29. LEVI-STRAUSS Levi-Strauss describes narrative as created by constant conflict of binary opposites Love – Hate Black – White Man – Nature Light – Darkness Peace – War Protagonist –Antagonist Movement – Stillness Civilized – Savage Young – Old Control – Panic Strong – Weak Man – Woman Wealth – Poverty Mankind – Aliens Humans – Technology Ignorance - Wisdom “Sat Wars” “Mr. & Mrs. Smith” “Avatar” “District 9” “The Searchers” “Slumdog Millionaire” Can you match them?

30. Complex narrative structure Today’s narratives have become increasingly complex as producers know that audiences have a greater sense of media literacy when it comes to making meaning of the text and reading the signs. There are often numerous plot twists and surprises that keep the audience intrigued with carefully spun storylines. Films such as “Memento” (Nolan,2000)which weaves the story in reverse gives the audience a similar experience to the protagonist who has short term memory loss, as they try and fit the clues together through the use of restricted narrative. Unrestricted Narrative: What the are assumed to know e.g. thriller there will be a crime so they will be expecting it Restricted Narrative: The information that is withheld from the audience Now test your knowledge: http://quizlet.com/4162490/narrative-theorists-flash-cards/