This document discusses narrative structure and how it relates to genre, themes, character development, and audience appeal. It compares Todorov's theory of narrative structure to portmanteau storytelling and examines the reasons for choosing a non-linear structure, including keeping the plot moving at a good pace and reinforcing themes of fate and destiny. While a non-linear structure could be seen as "style over substance", it may also reflect the themes of the work. The response must use evidence from the film to argue both sides of whether the narrative structure enhances or distracts from the work.

1. How conventional is the narrative structure of your chosen texts?
This question will rely on your knowledge of various theories surrounding Narrative
structure but will also require you to relate this to other textual issues surrounding Genre,
Themes & Ideologies, Representation of characters.
Things to write about...
•Todorov’s theoryVs Portmanteau storytelling
• Reasons why a non-linear narrative have been chosen
•The appeals of the non-linear narrative for an audience
• How it affects character development
•The reasons why this structure reflects the themes
• Does it contribute to the film or is it style over substance?
Things to consider...
This is one story told in multiple flashback and parallel narratives. The audience has to work
out pretty quickly what is going on, however this isn’t necessarily anything new. What flashing
arrows are there that help us understand what is going on?
It could be argued that the reason Boyle has elected to tell the story in this way is purely to
keep the Enigma codes being resolved at exactly the right time – a masterclass in pace and
editing perhaps? It may also be argued that this non-linear approach is there to remind and
reinforce the themes of Fate, Destiny and even the circular nature of Karma.
However, the alternative point of view would be that this is a case of ‘style over substance’,
that the clever approach to narrative is there specifically to cover over the cracks of a
simplistic and generic movie – give both sides of the story and decide which is your own
opinion – but make sure you say why!
Throughout your response, you must, must, must use evidence from the film!!!