Todorov’s Narrative Theory

Todorov suggested that every story begins in a state of equilibrium which is at some point brought to a halt by a series of events making it a disequilibrium. However then at some point within the story problems are solved so that the order and equilibrium can be restored.

What is Todorov’s Narrative Theory

Todorov’s Narrative Theory

Equlibrium Disruption to the equilibrium

Recognition of the disruption

Anattempt to repair the damage

New Equi-librium

The Black Hole

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P5_Msrdg3Hk

1) Equilibrium – A man in an office looking bored as he makes copies.

2) Disruption of the Equilibrium – The copy machine stops working, causing the character to push the button multiple times.

3) Recognition of the Disruption – The man realises that he has printed ‘a black hole’ and repeatedly tests its powers.

4) An Attempt to Repair the Damage – The man tries to use the black hole to his advantage by stealing money from the safe. When he cant reach any more, he tries to climb inside.

5) New Equilibrium – The man is swallowed by the black hole, ending the strange situation and creating a new one.

Using a short film as an example of Todorovs Narrative Theory

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The Women in Black

1) Equilibrium - The Lawyer Arthur Kipps mourns the death of his wife and cares for his son of 4 years old.

2) Disruption – Arthur goes to Cryphin Grifford on business to look over documents that are in Eel Marsh House. Here he discovers ‘The Women in Black’, a ghost that haunts the house, who seeks revenge on everyone that enters because of the death of her son who drowned in the nearby marsh.

3) Recognition – Mr.Kipps finds out that many a children in the nearby town have been murdered because of the fact that he has entered Eel Marsh House. He finds out that he son is soon to visit him on his trip away and is afraid that ‘The Women in Black’ will seek revenge by killing his son Joseph.

4) Attempt to Repair the Damage – Mr.Kipps decides that the only way to stop her is by finding her child in the marshes and returning him to her grave. He does so and hopes that this will stop ‘The Women in Black’

5) New Equilibrium – Mr.Kipps plans to return home with his son, however at the train station before they leave ‘The Women in Black’ appears and leads his son onto the train tracks as the train is approaching, Mr.Kipps runs onto the track in an attempt to save his son, however they both get hit by the train and are then shown reunited with their wife and mother.

Example in terms of a horror film