2. Vladimir Propp
Russian critic and literary theorist.
He liked analysing Russian fairy tails in
1920.
He proposed that it was possible to classify
the characters and their actions into clearly
defined roles and functions.
Films such as Star Wars fit Propp’s model
precisely, but a significant number of more
recent films such as Pulp Fiction do not.
The model is useful, however as it highlights
the similarities between some quite different
stories.
3. The eight different types in Propp
The donor – provides an object for the hero
The hero – seeks something
The villian – opposes the hero
The dispatcher – sends the hero on his way
The helper – gives support to the hero
Then false hero – Falsely assuming the role of
hero
The princess – the reward for the hero
Her father
4. Tzvetan Todorov
He was a bulgarian literary theorist.
He suggests that most narratives start with a
state of equilibrium in which life is `normal` and
protagonists happy.
This idea of normality is disrupted by an outside
force, which has to be fought against in order to
return to a state of equilibrium.
This model can easily be applied to a wide range
of films.
Equilibrium - Disequilibrium - New
Equilibrium
5. Roland Barthes
Enigma – a narrative device that teases the
audience by presenting a puzzle or riddle to be
solved. Works to delay the story's ending
pleasurable.
Symbolic – (connotation)
Semic – (denotation)
Cultural – a narrative device which the audience
can recognise as being part of a culture e.g. a
“made man” in a gangster film is part of the mafia
culture.
Action – a narrative device by which a resolution
is produced through action, e.g. a shoot-out.
6. Claude Levi-Strauss
Social Anthropologist.
Studied myths of tribal cultures.
Examined how stories unconsciously reflect the values, beliefs
and myths of a culture and the way people live.
These are usually expressed in the form of binary oppositions
.
His research has been changed by other media theorists too
show underlying themes and other styles
