A2 Media: Narrative Theory

Torodov: Narrative is going from [blank_start]equilibrium[blank_end] to [blank_start]disequilibrium[blank_end] to a new [blank_start]equilibrium[blank_end] 1. [blank_start]Equilibrium[blank_end] (Sets scene, everyday life) 2. [blank_start]Disruption[blank_end] (Complication alters [blank_start]equilibrium[blank_end]) 3. [blank_start]Conflict[blank_end] (Attempts to solve disruption, seek [blank_start]resolution[blank_end] - [blank_start]climax[blank_end]) 4. [blank_start]Resolution[blank_end] (Problem is solved) 5. [blank_start]New Equilibrium[blank_end] (denoument, [blank_start]new normal[blank_end])

Propp: Analysed Russian folk tales, same events occured - [blank_start]common framework[blank_end]. Broke the tales down into the smallest possible units, called '[blank_start]Narratemes[blank_end]' 1. [blank_start]Hero[blank_end] - Seeks something 2. [blank_start]Villain[blank_end] - Obstructs Hero 3. [blank_start]Princess[blank_end] - Hero's reward 4. [blank_start]Father[blank_end] - Giver of reward 5. [blank_start]Donor[blank_end] - Provides information/help 6. Helped - Aids Hero 7. [blank_start]Dispatcher[blank_end] - Aids Hero on quest 8. [blank_start]False Hero[blank_end] - Claims to be Hero

Levi-Strauss: Narrative is expressed in the form of [blank_start]binary oppositions[blank_end], creation of [blank_start]conflict[blank_end] propels narratives. Narratives only end on a [blank_start]resolution of conflict[blank_end], [blank_start]oppositions[blank_end] can be [blank_start]visual[blank_end] (light or darkness) or [blank_start]conceptual[blank_end] (love and hate). One side is always portrayed as the '[blank_start]right[blank_end]' side, this is the side the audience sides with and relates to.

Barthes: A text is "A galaxy of [blank_start]signifiers[blank_end], not a structure... it has no beginning" Codes - texts may be '[blank_start]open[blank_end]' (unravelled in multiple ways) or '[blank_start]closed[blank_end]' (one obvious thread to pull on). 1. [blank_start]Action[blank_end] Code: Something the audience knows, doesn't need [blank_start]explaining[blank_end] (Person on stretcher = hospital) 2. [blank_start]Enigma[blank_end] Code: Something is [blank_start]hidden[blank_end] from audience (intrigue) 3. [blank_start]Semic[blank_end] Code: Something audience recognises through [blank_start]connotation[blank_end] 4. [blank_start]Symbolic[blank_end] Code: Something symbolising an [blank_start]abstract concept[blank_end] (Murder scene is dark, symbolises death and depravity) 5. [blank_start]Cultural[blank_end] Code: Something read with understanding due to [blank_start]cultural[blank_end] awareness (slang)

Campbell: Argues there's a [blank_start]basic pattern[blank_end] fond in many narratives - [blank_start]Monomyth[blank_end] (or the [blank_start]heroes journey[blank_end]). Summary: Hero laves common world into [blank_start]new[blank_end] world, he [blank_start]wins[blank_end] something comes back to his [blank_start]common[blank_end] world with it and shares it with his [blank_start]friends[blank_end].