Narrative Structure Theory Task - Todorov's Theory

Tzevetan Todorov (Todorov's Narrative Theory)

Tzevatan Todorov's theory whilst for the most part complies with our everyday linear narrative; A "beginning, middle end" structure also known as "Equilibrium, Disequilibrium, Equilibrium" structure, Todorov's theory is slightly more complex adding an extra two parts. TWO PARTS?!?! Yes, these two extra parts slide in just between

"Disequilibrium" and the final "Equilibrium" stages of our story and they are "Acknowledgement of disruption (Characters become aware of the problem causing the disequilibrium)" and "Attempt to repair disruption (Characters try to fix the problem)"  In these two extra stages, narrative is not perceived as a linear structure but a circular structure instead. The narrative is driven by attempts to restore the equilibrium. However, the final equilibrium at the end of the story is not identical to the first equilibrium at the beginning of the story. Todorov argues that characters and setting undergoes a transformation during the resolution of the disruption, characters and setting can change as a result.

An example of this structure is the well-known Disney film 'Finding Nemo':

Equilibrium - Everything is "hunky-dory" all is well in the life of our favorite fish.

Disequilibrium - Nemo gets captured by a pesky Aussie dentist on a diving trip.

Acknowledgement of disruption - Marvin(Nemo's dad) left without his only son realises he has to save his son and return him home.

Attempt to repair disruption - Marvin sets out on a quest to save his son traversing the vast ocean meeting sharks and a jelly-fish named "Squishy".

Equilibrium - Marvin finds his son and they return home safe and sound with a stronger bond than ever and a few friends that they had met along the way.

Above is a perfect example of where Todorov's theory is proven however it doesn't always apply. Quentin Tarantino's 'Pulp Fiction' is a lot more innovative it follows a more circular/episodic story-line following various characters with different motives, different dilemmas and they all have to solve them in different ways some of which cause more problems for other characters. I digress however as if you were to re-edit, cut up 'Pulp Fiction' and put the pieces back together differently you could sort of put together a story-line that fits Todorov's theory pretty well but not completely and only for a couple of characters.

In my opinion I think in terms of accuracy in interpreting the stories told in film and book, through other media. Todorov's theory blankets the majority of the stories in the world pretty well. Though I think in terms of following the theory, utilizing it for your own film, Todorov's theory is more like an "anti-tool", something to go against, I'm not saying you can't make a great film using this structure but in the current climate of film it helps to be a little more innovative go against the flow and create something completely original.

Narrative Structure Theory Task - What is a Narrative Structure and Introduction

What is a Narrative Structure

By Definition:

"Narrative structure, a literary element, is generally described as the structural framework that underlies the order and manner in which a narrative is presented to a reader, listener, or viewer. The narrative text structures are the plot and the setting."

Essentially how a story is told, and in the following posts I hope to talk about three theories about a stories dilemmas character types, and the conflicts we conventionally see in many of our favorite films everyday.

The posts will be named with he following titles;

1)"Narrative Structure Theory Task - Todorov's Theory" - Here I will talk about "Tzetan Todorov's Theory" and his interpretation of a narrative that every story follows.

2)"Narrative Structure Theory Task - Vladimir Propp's 8 Character Types" - Vladimir believed almost every story will only have these eight character types, no matter how many character's you have they only comply with these eight.

3)"Narrative Structure Theory Task - Claude Levi-Strauss' Binary Oppositions" - Good vs Evil, Crime vs Justice etc. these are the principle binary oppositions Claude summarised films to follow.

A History Of Gangster Films

From this research I have realized the process the film industry and more specifically the gangster genre has had to go to, to get to where it is today. Although not portrayed in the above piece I have learnt more about the prohibition era and although I knew a little about it before, I am now more enticed to base my final piece, maybe, in that era or at least take inspiration. I am intrigued to do more research into organised crime and what it is actually like, to maybe portray it more accurately than modern films tend to do. More research is to be done before anything final is put in place but this research has definitely helped give me a greater understanding of what direction I want to go in with my final piece and how I want the characters to be portrayed.