Narrative Theorists

Narrative theorists

Claude Levi-Strauss built upon philosopher Aristotle's statement that 'all drama is conflict'  with his Theory of Binary Oppositions. This was the idea that very opposite characters collide. for example,  characters with opposite popularity. The popular 'plastic' girl, against the unpopular 'geeky' girl. This is important in a successful story, as drawing two different worlds or characters together inspires conflict and interest narrative. Therefore the presence of binary opposition in film is important as the differences within the world of the story collide.  

 

Bathes Narrative Devices

Roland Barthes purposes that there are codes within film which serves to engage audiences.

- The Enigma Code  generates and controls what information a viewer is aware of within a narrative and holds their interest throughout the film. It introduces problems or puzzles which must be solved as well as mysteries which must be uncovered.

- The action code  refers to events which occur that the immediately can identify as being significant to the development of the narrative. Resolution may be achieved through action also.

Todorov Narrative Devices

Tsvetan Todorov presents us with his theory, which is based on his study of folk tales, that implies all mainstream film follows similar narrative structure to each other. It consists of five stages -

1. Equilibrium - the introductory setting is established with key characters appearing and the storyline is set up. This part of the story shows the balance in the lives of the characters
2. Disruption - oppositional characters are introduced and the story takes a particular direction
3. Recognition - Of the disruption, the characters lives and events are combined and so we are able to see the effect the events could have on the characters. This is the part where Todorov believes the tension constantly builds up and this section is the longest in the film
4. Repair - or attempts to repair the damage from the disruption, the highest point of tension in the film after which comes a change in dynamic
5. New equilibrium - where everything is restored but adapted to the new dynamic, problems are all solved and loose ends are tied

ProppNarrative Devices

Vladimir Propp had a similar narrative structure to Todorovs, however it is slightly more detailed.

1. Preparation - introduction to the story
2. Complication - keys or clues to the direction of the story
3. Struggle - dealing with the complications
4. Return - back to 'home' however there are still remaining issues
5. Recognition - loose ends are tied up  

 

This ties with Propps character theory, this is what identifies more of the character roles than the simple antagonist and protagonist. Propp identifies seven main roles.

• The villain
• The donor
• The (magical) helper
• The princess
• The princesses father
• the dispatcher
• the hero (victim/seeker)
• The false hero, usuper or anti hero