2 narrative theories

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

2. 2
What does narrative mean?
• Narrative is HOW the story is told.
• The structure
• Linear/ non linear
• Chronological order
• Flashbacks/ ellipses

3. Learning outcomes
• 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. Todorov’s narrative theory
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. Music video?
Watch the music video and analyse how Todorov’s theory can be applied
to the narrative

6. Blog post: Narrative theory- Todorov
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 is theory?
• How does your own music video apply (or not) to Todorov’s theory of
narrative?

7. Learning outcomes
• Understand Levi-Strauss’ theory of narrative
• Apply Levi Strauss’ narrative theory to a music video
• Find examples of your own music videos that relate to Levi Strauss’
theory.

8. Levi-Strauss’ narrative theory
Claude Levi- Strauss was interested in how much of our world is
described in terms of opposites (binary oppositions)
Night/day, good/bad, light/dark
He noticed that these oppositions tended to structure texts such as
stories, plays and films.

9. For example
Gender (masculine/feminine)
Age (youth/ old)
Ethnicity (white/ black)
Social class (upper/ lower)

10. Music video
What binary oppositions can you see in this music video?

11. Blog post: Narrative theory- Levi-Strauss
For this post you need to:
• Explain who Levi Strauss 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 Levi-Strauss’ theory
of narrative?