2. TODOROV’S NARRATIVE
STRUCTURE
Todorov believes that all storylines
follow the same structure.
There are 5 different stages that he believes
each story goes through in order to
make it successful:
The first step is the Equilibrium.This is where the story is most calm.
Then there’s adisruption; there’s something happens that creates an
unsettling atmosphere. Which is then followed by the recognition of
this distruption and then an attempt to repair the damage. This then
ends with a new equilibrium which is where the chaos comes to an
end and creates peace.
After applying this to The Propsoal I’ve realised that this film sticks to this
structure. The storyline starts of calm, soon to create an unsettlement
between characters. Which has then been recognised which then follows
an attempt to repair the unsettlement and by the end everything is settle
and everyone is happy.
3. PROPPS CHARACTE R TY PE S AND
NARRATIVE FUNCTIONS
Vladimir Propp studied hundreds of folktales and found they
containted 8 character types and 31 functions that move the story
along.
4. LEVI-STRAUSS’ BINARY
OPPOSITIONS
Levi’Strauss suggested that binary oppositions are key to the
meaning making in narrative- he argued the constant creation of
conflict and opposition propels narrative and that narrative can only
end on a resolution of conflict.
