Vladimir Popp proposed that narratives typically include certain character archetypes like the protagonist, antagonist, heroine, father figure, helper, donor, and mentor. Roland Barthes argued that narratives can be interpreted in multiple ways through various codes like the hermeneutic code, enigma code, semantic code, cultural code, and symbolic code. Tzvetan Todorov described the typical structure of a narrative as including equilibrium, disruption of equilibrium, recognition of disruption, attempt to restore equilibrium, and a new equilibrium. Claude Levi-Strauss analyzed narratives as exploring fundamental dualisms like good versus evil, black versus white, and peace versus war.

1. Vladimir Popp
Vladimir came up with the theory that there always had to be certain characters with in the narrative.
1.
Protagonist: is usually the leader of the narrative and is most likely looking for something or trying to solve
something and be heroic.
2.
Antagonist: the antagonist usually gets in the protagonists way or creates the problem that is trying to be
solved.
3.
Heroine: Is usually some sort of prize or reward for the hero. If your hero is female, your heroine can be
male.
4. Father:
an authority figure that offers some form of reward for the hero.
5.
Helper:
helps the hero, same as a sidekick.
6.
Donor:
gives the hero something to help with there quest such as a clue.
7.
Mentor:
teaches and guides the hero so they can complete their quest.

2. Roland Barthes
Barthes’s narrative theory was that a narrative can be looked at from various
viewpoints and be interpreted many ways so it has many meanings.
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He broke it up into 5 codes;
1.
The hermeneutic code
–
this is where the story avoids telling the truth and drops clues through out to create mystery.
2.
The enigma code
–
this is the way that tension is built up to allow the audience to guess what's going to happen next.
3.
The semantic code
–
this code points to any element of a narrative that gives an
additional meaning.
4.
The cultural code
–
look at the audiences wider cultural knowledge, morality and ideology.
5.
The symbolic code
–
very similar to the semantic code but on a wider scale, organizing additional meanings into larger and deeper sets of meaning. Usually the
additional meaning arises from opposing or conflict ideas

3. Tzvetan Todorov
Equilibrium
–
there is peace and we are just meeting the characters and understanding the setting.
2.
Disruption of the equilibrium
–
there is a problem that has just been introduced.
3.
Recognition of the disruption
–
now the characters are starting to understand what the problem is.
4.
Attempting to restore the equilibrium
–
the characters attempt to repair the damage that has been done.
5.
New equilibrium
–
this now means the problem has been resolved and life can now continue as it was.

4. Claude Levi-Strauss
1.
Good v evil
2.
Black v white
3.
Peace v war
4.
Boy v girl
5.
Civilised v savage
6.
Young v old
7.
Man v nature
8.
Motivator v observer
9.
Strong v weak
10.
Ignorance v wisdom