Todorov's narrative theory is a theory that can be applied to different types of media and not just
music videos. Todorov states that this theory explains what happens in the narrative and the order
that it happens in. However, many new music videos go against this theory and do not show a
narrative, although, the ones that do follow his 5 step theory.
Step 1: Equilibrium- This begins at the beginning of the narrative, when there is normality and
everything in the music video is how it should be.
Step 2: Disequilibrium- Then after the equilibrium a problem occurs and something goes wrong, this
ruins the stability that was present at the start of the narrative and causes one or many of the
characters to change due to this problem that has taken place.
Step 3: Recognition of the disequilibrium- This is when the protagonist, or other minor characters in
the music video recognised that a problem has occurred and realise what the problem actually is and
who it has happened to.
Step 4: Attempt to restore the equilibrium- After recognising what the disequilibrium is, there is an
attempt to restore it. Often in contemporary media texts such as films, often involve a quest to
restore the normality. However, in music video this is often with a character sympathising with
another character, or offering emotional support. Alternatively, in some music videos the attempt to
restore the disequilibrium yet fail.
Step 5: New Equilibrium- This follows straight after the attempt to solve the problem, however in
music videos, the artist often creates a new equilibrium in the end to make the video more exciting,
or the video will return to the way it at the start.
Example: Jess Glynne 'Don't Be So Hard'.
This music video by Jess Glynne goes against Todorov's structure and does not begin with an
equilibrium, as the narrative starts with a mother and her song moving to a new town after the loss
of their husband and father.
The problem occurs when the boy fails to assimilate to this new way of life in the neighbourhood and
experiences bullying. He is also rejected from playing drums with the other members in the club and
is left feeling like a failure.
Then the mother recognises the problem that is happening to her son, although, the problem is
solved by the boy himself. He experiences resilience and tries to overcome his failure by working
harder and harder each time with the present of his farther next him teaching him the steps.
Then the story is completed with a new equilibrium of the boy as a member of the club, and the
music amplifies the meaning of the narrative as it is being shown.