2. Who is
Todorov?
Tzvetan Todorov is a Franco –
Bulgarian philosopher. Todorov
wrote a selection of books and
essays analysing literacy
theories, thought history and
culture theories.
One of his most influential pieces of
work was on narrative, which Todorov
started to analyse from the 1960s
onwards. His work on narrative
explains the structure of fiction
narratives. Todorov believed that all
fiction narratives start of with an
equilibrium which is then disrupted by
an event that occurs leading on to a
series of events. The problem or issue
is the resolved towards the end of the
narrative.
3. Narrative
A state of equilibrium or status
Structure
quo
A disruption which breaks the of
equilibrium
Recognition that there has been a
disruption
Characters try to repair
equilibrium
Reinstatement of the equilibrium
4. Is Todorov’s theory
applicable to the genre of
horror?
I feel that this theory is applicable to a variety of different films as all films seem to
follow the pattern that there is a balance which is interrupted and in between that and
the ending there is some sort of resolution in order to try and bring back the balance
which was once there. As media is expanding and growing I feel that writers of films
are trying to change the sequence in how their narrative is followed as audiences are
now able to predict what is going to happen in a film. Drag me to hell is an example
of this as the film leads you on to thinking that the equilibrium has been restored but
right at the end of the film it is made apparent that this is false. This is a technique
that some film makers use in terms of marketing as if you leave a good film with no
resolution then you can make a sequel and sequels bring in more money.
