4. Todorovs theory
O Todorov says that the stories begin with
an equilibrium.
O This is disrupted by an event
O Before eventually the problem is solved so
that order can be restored to the world of
fiction.
This can be split into 5 stages…
12. One…
Achilles – The fatal flaw, this leads to the
destruction of a previously flawless person,
e.g.
O Superman
O Fatal Attraction
O Captain America
13. Two
Candide – The indomitable hero who cannot
be put down,
e.g.
O Rocky
O James Bond
O Indiana Jones
14. There
Cinderella – the dream that comes true,
e.g.
O Pretty Woman
O Cinderella
O Mamma Mia
15. Four
Circe – The chase, the spider and the fly,
e.g.
O The Terminator
O Nightmare On Elm Street
O Halloween
16. Five
Faust – Selling your soul to the devil, may
bring riches, however, eventually your soul
will belong to him,
e.g.
O Devils Advocate
O Wall Street
O Wolf Of Wall Street
17. Six
Orpheus – the loss of something personal,
the tragedy of loss ,
e.g.
O The Sixth Sense
O Born On The 4th Of July
O Schindler’s list
19. Eight
Tristan and Iseult – love triangle, man loves
woman, however one or both is spoken for
already,
e.g.
O Casablanca
O Bridget Jones Diary
O The Twilight saga: Eclipse
26. Order of narrative
O Establishing the plot or theme
O Development of problem
O Enigma
O Increase in tension
O Resolution of plot
These can be unambiguous and linear.
