narrative theory

Narrative Theory

Todorov’s Narrative Structure

He suggested that conventional narratives are structured in five stages:• Equilibrium • Disruption of the equilibrium• Recognition of the disruption• An attempt to repair the damage caused by the

disruption• New equilibriumThis theory can be applied to psychological thrillers even though it may not always be seen in the most conventional ways. For example in Black Swan the 5 stages are not as easy to see due to the confusing nature of the film.

Todorov’s Narrative Structure

In Gone we can see Todorov’s theory:Equilibrium - At the beginning we see Jill, the main character, living a normal life as a waitress.Disruption – Jill discovering her sister is missing.Recognition – Jill going to the police station and getting a detective on the case.Attempt to repair – The main plot of the film involving Jill trying to find her sister’s kidnapper.New equilibrium – Jill killing the kidnapper and returning home with her sister.

Propp’s Character Types

Propp studied 100 folktales and lore and found they contained 8 character types which are:• Hero (protagonist)• Villain (antagonist)• Donor• Helper• Princess• Princess’ Father• Dispatcher • False HeroNot all films have to have all of these characters.


He also found there to be 31 functions in a narrative which includes:

• The hero is prohibited from doing something

• The villain learns something about the victim

• The villain is punished, etc.


Again in Gone we can see the typical character types but not all of them.

Hero – Jill

Villain – Jim LaPointe, the kidnapper

Donor – Nick, who gives Jill information to who the kidnapper is.

Helper - Det. Peter Hood, the detective who helps Jill as he believes her.

The other character types are not seen in this film but they are not always needed to complete the narrative. One of the functions we see completed in the film is the villain being punished (when Jill kills LaPointe).

Levi-Strauss’ Binary Oppositions

Levi-Strauss suggested that binary oppositions are key to the meaning making in narrative – he argued the constant creation of conflict and opposition propels narrative, and that narrative can only end on a resolution of conflict. As the audience we always judge on half of the binary oppositions in a more negative way therefore the meaning of the binaries are ideological as they are culturally constructed.


Examples of binary oppositions include:• Good/Evil• Men/Women• Truth/Lies• Normal/Abnormal• Strong/Weak• Light/Dark• Young/Old• Natural/Artificial• Sane/InsaneSane and insane are oppositions that are constantly explored in psychological thrillers.

Gone uses light and dark a lot especially in the lighting. This image shows us this as there is a clear distinction between the light and dark. The hero of the film is on the light side showing the audience her good nature while the person with holding information from her is on the dark side. This also shows us the good and evil oppositions. The film also uses truth and lies as many people hold back information to help themselves when Jill just wants to find the truth.


Barthe’s Enigma Code

Barthes' Enigma Code is a theory that suggests a narrative portrays a mystery to draw an audience in, pose questions and, as such, become intrigued in the piece. It does this with five codes:• The Hermeneutic Code (narrative not being fully

explained)• The Proairetic Code (building tension)• The Semantic Code (connotations in the story)• The Symbolic Code (deeper meanings in the

story)• The Cultural Code (what is already set in our

culture)


In Se7en the Hermeneutic Code is used to create mystery surrounding who the killer is. At the beginning of the film the characters themselves have very little information to who it is, therefore the audience also don’t know. This make the audience want to continue watching to figure it out through the use of clues and reveals like the use of fingerprints and library records in the film.


Insomnia also shows the enigma code but through the use of the Proairetic Code. For example within the film the main character, Dormer, comes up with a plan to lure the murderer back to the crime scene. Before we actually get to see the plan happen the audience is left to wonder whether it will actually work, which builds up tension, and they stay to watch and hope that it does work and when it doesn’t they continue to watch to see how they will eventually catch the killer.


The film Frozen (2010) uses the Semantic Code within it. At multiple points of the movie wolves are seen. The audience would connote this with danger and violence which builds up tension around the parts where they are seen. Watchers would see the animals and immediately think something bad is going to happen, due to their connotations, so they continue to watch with intrigue. This also links in with the Symbolic Code and the Cultural Code.

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