Narrative theories in media

1. JAMES BUXTON
NARRATIVE
THEORY

2. EQUILIBRIUM CHANGES
 This is a theory written by Tzvetan Todorov.
 He states that in a narrative, whether it be a book, film, music
video etc. there are always three stages of equilibrium
(equilibrium meaning a normal state).
 The first stage is where the life is normal, this is the equilibrium.
 Stage two is where there is a disruption to the equilibrium, this is
often the most important part of a narrative, it is called the
disequilibrium.
 The final stage is the return to the equilibrium, this is
conventionally how a narrative concludes.
 What is represented as ‘normal’ depends on the cultural context of
the viewer.

3. CHARACTER TYPES
 This theory by Vladimir Propp suggests that in a narrative there are
always a recognisable amount of character types. As listed below:
The villain, or ‘antagonist’ who battles against the hero.
The hero, or ‘protagonist’ who battles against the villain.
The donor, who prepares and/or provides hero with magical agent.
The helper, who assists, rescues, solves and/or transfigures the hero.
The Princess, a sought-for person (and/or her father), who exists as a goal.
and often recognizes and marries hero and/or punishes villain.
The dispatcher, who sends the hero off.
 The different types of character make a narrative easier to understand
from an audiences’ perspective.

4. BINARY OPPOSITIONS
 This is theory by Claude Levi-Strauss.
 It suggests that all narratives are filled with complete opposites, or
‘binary oppositions’.
 It is crucial in most films to create conflict and it causes the uses
and gratifications model into use with the audience.
 Looking at which element in the pair is shown as dominant, and
how the conflicts are resolved reveal the ideological message of
the narrative.
 An example would be a friendly and likeable protagonist
compared to a cold and unlikeable antagonist, films including
these sorts of characters also help the audience in deciding who
they want to prevail.

5. NARRATIVE CODES
 In order to make sense of narratives, Roland Barthes has
suggested there are five different codes that the audience follows.
 Here are those five codes which Barthes believes in:
Action – these are the elements of the narrative which suggest
further narrative action.
Enigma – the narrative questions the audience wants to be
answered.
Semic – elements which signify the meaning of the text.
Symbolic – the main meaning or conflict in the text.
Cultural – elements which refer to things which are common
knowledge.

6. THE END