Narrative theory

1. This is also important for your exam
in the summer

2. The way the story is told
The structure of the story
Narratives can be linear or non-linear
Flashbacks/ forwards
Split screens
=popular ways to portray narrative in a music
video

3.  Understand Todorov’s theory of narrative
 Apply Todorov’s narrative theory to a music
video
 Find examples of your own music videos that
relate to Todorov’s theory.

4. Tzvetan Todorov suggested there were 5
stages to a narrative:
 Equilibrium (happy start)
 A disruption of this equilibrium by an event
(problem)
 A realisation that a disruption has happened
 An attempt to repair the damage of the
disruption (problem is solved)
 A restoration of the equilibrium (happy
ending)

5. Watch the music video and analyse how
Todorov’s theory can be applied to the
narrative.
She’s The One: Robbie Williams

6. For this post you need to:
 Explain who Todorov was/ is
 What is his narrative theory?
 Find examples of real music videos that can
be applied to his theory?
 How does your own music video apply (or
not) to Todorov’s theory of narrative?

7.  Understand Propp’s theory of narrative
 Apply Propp’s narrative theory to a music
video
 Find examples of your own music videos that
relate to Propp’s theory.

8.  Vladimir Propp studies folk tales and legends
from different countries
 He found they were all quite similar
 They seemed to be about the same basic
problems and the same types of character
kept cropping up.
 He focused on the way these characters
seemed to be ‘types’ rather than individuals
 He recognised 8 character types

9. 1. The hero, who is on the quest (search)
2. The villain, who opposes the hero
3. The donor, who helps the hero by giving him a
tool
4. The dispatcher, who starts the hero on his way
5. The false hero, who tempts the hero away from
his quest
6. The helper, who helps the hero
7. The princess, who is the reward for the hero
8. Her father, who rewards the hero for his efforts

10. Watch this music video. How far can you apply
Propp’s narrative theory?
Make a list of as many character ‘types’ as you
can.

11. For this post you need to:
 Explain who Propp was/ is
 What is his narrative theory?
 Find examples of real music videos that can
be applied to is theory?
 How does your own music video apply (or
not) to Propp’s theory of narrative?