Narrative A2 Media Question 1

1. NARRATIVE THEORY
By Hannah Kelly

2. Narrative
The narrative is the order of the film, so there
could be a beginning, problem and resolution or
be made up of 5 different parts. As well as this
there is the characters which is has the key role
of the protagonist, which is the main character.
Narrative is split into three different sections:
Representation; Structure; Act

3. Restricted, Unrestricted Narrative &
Narrative Enigma
Restricted:
We only know, see and hear the main character.
Unrestricted:
We know see and hear everything and all the characters.
Narrative Enigma:
Audiences has limited information, so they have to figure
out what is going on in the story.

4. Plot & Sub Plot
The plot is the base of the story of the film over
all. The subplot is a plot that runs alongside the
plot so there is more supporting the storyline.
Subplots sometimes connect to main plots and
often involve supporting characters, beside the
protagonist.

5. Toderov’s Theory

6. 1: Equilibrium
The beginning of the film would typically begin
with the display of happiness and calm. This
would also be the typical time where all the
characters are introduced.

7. 2: A Disruption
Next is the disruption this is where there the
happiness and calm is disrupted. This could be
that something could go wrong and there is
something that stops the story from
progressing. The plot begins to develop.
Oppositional character(s) appear.

8. 3: Recognition of Disruption
The realisation is when the characters realise the
problem and it becomes chaotic. Tension builds
and sometimes the characters become
endangered.

9. 4: Attempt To Repair
This is the part of the story when the characters
begin to attempt to restore the equilibrium and
the danger/ suspense intensifies. This tends to
be the most exciting part of the film. This part of
the film usually involves a search/ chase.

10. 5: Equilibrium (Again)
At the end of the film the characters are restored
back to the way they were at the beginning, the
happiness and calm is restored. Usually by the
tension being relieves and order being resolved.
Then the story is bought to a close.

11. Vladimir Propp

12. Theory Of Characters and Narrative
Propp was a Russian critic in the 1920s when
cinema was producing mainly film and Propp
had interest in folk tales. His interest helped him
identify the similarities in a variety which led him
to create this theory. Which was that the
character have a narrative function which means
they provide a structure for the dance.

13. Theory Of Characters
Typical characters found:
The hero
The villain
The donor
The dispatcher
The false hero
The Helper
The Princess

14. For the middle of the film where there is an issue
the characters over come Propps theory was that
there was 4 key elements to the scene which was
there was a fight/ struggle between the hero
and villain. The villain is overcome and the hero
is branded. After which the hero would typically
get the princess which was seen as an award.
Propps Theory

15. For the end of the film the hero is recognised,
the villain is unmasked and if there was a false
hero in the film this would be the point in time
they would be punished. After this the hero
would then go and collect his prize (princess/
kingdom).
Propp’s theory is very much alike to a fairy tail
Propps Theory

16. Claude Levi-Strauss

17. Claude Levi-Strauss’s theory was based upon binary
opposites. Levi-Strauss studied hundreds of myths and
legends. Roland Barthes helped him with his discovery of
language and how our understanding of it is constructed
with the idea that words don’t require a meaning but the
understanding of the opposite. The differences between
the word and the opposite was named ‘Binary
Opposition’
Narrative Theory

18. They also came to realise that words became just a
symbol for societies ideas. These binary opposites are for
example:
•Boy vs Girl
•Good vs Bad
The theory overall is based around the conflict of binary
opposites which become the climax of the narrative.
Narrative Theory Continued

19. Hollywood Narrative

20. The classic Hollywood narrative is a five part structure.
1. Exposition (Introduction)
2. Development (Something Happens)
3. Complication (Problem)
4. Climax (Intense Danger)
5. Resolution (Neat Or Open Ending)
Hollywood Narrative