Narrative Theory

By definition, a narrative is a way in which a story is told in both fictional

and non-fictional media texts.
The 4 main narrative theorists are Todorov, Propp, Mulvey and Levi-
Strauss.


Tzvetan Todorov:


Todorov was a Bulgarian literary theorist, this theory provides a basic
format for all narratives he suggested that most narratives start with a
state of equilibrium, he then goes on to describe five stages that
structure conventional narratives:


1. A state of equilibrium (All is as it should
be.)
2. A disruption of that order by an event.
3. A recognition that the disorder has
occurred.
4. An attempt to repair the damage of the
disruption.
5. A return or restoration of a NEW
equilibrium


This structure is valid to our own production, Implosion, as the state of
equilibrium is to be at the beginning where there is to be a scene
where our main character, Eldon is in bed, still in his clothing from last
night, beer bottles scattered around.


The state of disequilibrium is to be just as Eldon is about to get in to a
action-filled fight with one of the pupils that just about manages to get
on his last nerve as he is already going through so much; he simply
cannot handle it any longer.

Due to the fact that our final production may end on a cliffhanger
leaving the audience in awe and suspense there may not be a return
or restoration of a NEW equilibrium.


Vladimir Propp:


Vladimir was a Russian critic and literary theorist that analysed over 100
Russian fairytales in the 20s. The model is applicable and useful in that
it highlights the contrast between supposedly unique stories. He
anticipated that it was possible to categorise characters and their
actions into clearly categorised functions and roles.
Vladimir also stated that there are 8 main characters involved in such a
narrative, these are:

The villain
The dispatcher
The donor
The hero
Her father
The helper
The princess of the prize
The false hero


It does not seem as though this narrative
will be applicable to our short film, the reason being, our short film only
has few characters, of which are two teachers or so, a student and
there is no such villain or father, or a helper or a princess, etc.
However, it may be argued that the villain may be the student and
helper may be the teacher the helper.


Claude Levi-Strauss:


Strauss was a French anthropologist who
studied Myths and Tribal cultures, examined
how stories subconsciously reflect the
values, beliefs and myths of culture; his
theory argued that all narratives could be
reduced down to binary opposites for
instance, the poor and the rich, the old and
the young, a boy and a girl.


According to Claude All narratives have to
be driven by a conflict by a series of
opposing forces. This conflict would
eventually cause the narrative to restore some sort of balance. A good
example of a binary opposition could be in many marvel films,
however, specifically, Batman; The Joker being the villain, and of
course, Batman being the hero. Within the media industry, this theory is
used very frequently in films, however perhaps not so much my own.
There may be a binary opposite as there are two characters, one is a
boy, the other a girl, and so, once they argue, this may show a binary
opposition.


Laura Mulvey:

Laura is a British feminist film theorist; she
came up with the theory of the male
gaze. She believes that audiences have to
be able to view the characters from the
perspective of a heterosexual male this
involves the camera lingering on certain
parts of a females body for instance, her
breasts or her curves, this relegates women
to the status of objects.


For our production, it may be unlikely that this theory is to be used as
we are using a man as our main character and so its not very
applicable.