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8/2/2019 Q1 Narrative Theories RECAP
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Narrative Theories
It is important that in your understanding of conventions in film you relate it towhether you conform to subverted or challenged the following theories.
Here is a quick recap of the main ideas of the four theorists we have studied:
Roland Barthes Enigma Codes
Barthes' Enigma Code is a theory that suggests a text (whether that be television,film, a poster etc) portrays a mystery to draw an audience in, pose questions and, assuch, become intrigued in the piece. For instance, a murder mystery will often notreveal the identity of the murderer until the end of the story, which poses thequestion "Who is the murderer?"
Key Term:
Enigma Code - questions that your film makes the audience think of to help drawthem into the narrative such as why is that ma nangry?, where are they? Who isthat disguised character?
Tsvetan Todorov-Equilibrium
All stories start in a state of equilibrium, which is then disrupted, setting in amotion a chain of events. The resolution of the story is the creation of anew/different equilibrium.
Eg. Titanic
Rose is engaged
Rose then leaves her finance for Jack; Jack the dies
Rose continues her life as an independent woman
Key terms:
Equilibrium a state of normality that is then disrupted andf then restored
Levi-Strauss- Binary Oppositions Meanings, including narrative, depend on binary oppositions he explores
these in terms of underlying paradigmatic themes rather than events.
Eg: Titanic
Rich /Poor * Artistic/Materialistic
Brave/Cowardly * Irish/English
Key Terms:
Binary Opposites (2 total opposites that are established e.g rich and poor, nightand day good and evil)
8/2/2019 Q1 Narrative Theories RECAP
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Vladimir Propp
Propp was essentially interested in the narrative of folk tales. He identified a theoryabout Folk tales were similar in many areas. They were about the same basicstruggles and they appeared to have stock characters. He identified a theory about
characters and actions as narrative functions.
Characters, according to Propp, have a narrative function; they provide a structurefor the text.
Characters that perform a function
The Hero a character that seeks something
The Villain who opposes or actively blocks the heros quest
The Donor who provides an object with magical properties
The Dispatcher who sends the hero on his/her quest via a message
The False Hero who disrupts the heros success by making false claims
The Helper who aids the hero
The Princess acts as the reward for the hero and the object of the villains plots
Her Father who acts to reward the hero for his effort