Music videos can be analyzed through several narrative theories. Todorov's theory of five narrative stages, Barthes' five codes of engagement, Levi Strauss' concept of conflict between opposites, and Propp's identification of common character archetypes all provide frameworks for understanding the storytelling elements in music videos like those by Leona Lewis, Katy Perry, Cee Lo Green.
2. Todorov
States that there are five stages in a narrative:
1.normality 2. Disruption 3. Recognition 4.
Attempt to resolve 5. new equilibrium.
Example: Leona Lewis Happy
3. Roland Barthes
Stated that there are 5 codes with which an
audience engage in a narrative:
enigma, action, semantic, symbolic and cultural
code.
Example: Katy Perry, The one got away
4. Levi Strauss
States that in every media text there is a battle
or conflict between two opposites. This may be
cultural, revolving on class, morals(good and
bad) or emotions like love and hatred.
Cee Lo Green: Forget You
5. Valdimir Propp
Propp stated that there are a set of characters
that appear in every story line. The hero, the
princess, the helper, false hero, dispatcher(who
sends the hero on his quest), Father, villain and
the donor.
