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Narrative Theory

Narrative theories propose common structures that many stories and films follow. Todorov's theory suggests most narratives start with equilibrium, are disrupted by an outside force, and end with a return to equilibrium. Barthes identified five codes - action, enigma, symbolic, semic, and cultural - that activate audiences to make sense of a narrative. Propp analyzed Russian fairy tales and found they could be classified into character roles and narrative functions, though not all films fit this model.

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Sophie Steadman
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124 views

Narrative Theory

Narrative theories propose common structures that many stories and films follow. Todorov's theory suggests most narratives start with equilibrium, are disrupted by an outside force, and end with a return to equilibrium. Barthes identified five codes - action, enigma, symbolic, semic, and cultural - that activate audiences to make sense of a narrative. Propp analyzed Russian fairy tales and found they could be classified into character roles and narrative functions, though not all films fit this model.

Uploaded by

Sophie Steadman
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Narrative Theories

What is a narrative theory?


Many people came up with a narrative theory. This was about the things that
happen in a film and the usual structure of most films.
Todorovs narrative theory

Bulgarian literary theorist

Suggests that most narratives start with a state of equilibrium where life is normal,
there is peace and everyone is happy. This state of normality is then disrupted by an
outside force which has to be fought against in order to return to this state of
equilibrium. Todorov said that this theory can be applied to a wide range of film
genres.
Roland Barthes narrative theory

French semiologist.

He suggested that a narrative works with five different codes which activate the
audience to make sense of it.
Barthes codes:
Action a narrative device by which a resolution is produced through action, e.g. a
shoot-out.
Enigma A narrative device that teases the audience by presenting a puzzle or
riddle to be solved. This works to delay the storys ending pleasurably.
Symbolic connotation
Semic denotation
Cultural A narrative device which the audience can recognise as being part of a
culture.
Vladimir Propps narrative theory

Russian critic and literary theorist

He analysed over 100 Russian fairy tales in the 1920s. He proposed that it was
possible to classify the characters and their actions into clearly defined roles and
functions. Films such as Star Wars fit Propps model but others dont.

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