Narrative Research Assignment

By Ursula Otieno

The Theorist

Vladimir Prop Claude Levi- Strauss Tvzetan Todorov

• Claude Levi- Strauss a French anthropologist, he was born 28th November 1908

• he developed the theory of binary opposition . Narrative can only end on a resolution of conflict. Opposition can be visual (light/darkness, movement/stillness) or conceptual (love/hate, control/panic)

• Vladimir Propp was born 17th April 1895.

• He developed a theory based on Russian Formalists. His Theory applies to action/fiction films.

• Todorov is a Russian theorist, he was born March 1st , 1939

• Developed a theory about narratives and how they follow a three part structure. (Equilibrium-Disequilibrium -New Equilibrium)

Equilibrium, Disequilibrium and New Equilibrium

Means, a state in which opposing forces or influences are balanced (this is usually the start of the film when every thing is ok)

Means, a loss or lack of equilibrium in relation to supply, demand, and prices.(This is the stage in the film were things become unbalanced and fall apart).

Means, when the disequilibrium has found a resolution and when the equilibrium is restored. (This is usually the happy ending when all problems our solved)

Equilibrium

Disequilibrium

New Equilibrium

Equilibrium, Disequilibrium and New Equilibrium Example

When the main character is fine living a normal life

This is when he meets the transformers and then the evil transformers try to take over the world and he is in the middle of the situation

This is when he meets the transformers and then the evil transformers try to take over the world and he is in the middle of the situation

Equilibrium

Disequilibrium

New Equilibrium

Transformers is a film that uses Equilibrium, Disequilibrium and New Equilibrium.

Binary Opposition

Binary OppositionBinary Opposition is pair of related terms or concepts that are opposite in meaning

Examples are

• Black and white • Happy and sad • Good and bad• light and dark, etc.

Flashbacks & Flashforwards

In which a memory is suddenly and unexpectedly revisited

Kill Bill is an example of a film that uses flashbacks, it is in black and white to show it is from the past.

Flashbacks

Flashforwads