2. INTRODUCTION TO NARRATIVE STRUCTURE
Narrative structure is the way a story is told
There are three different ways a narrative can be structured:
Circular – This is when the story begins with the end of the narrative. A common
example of this is Titanic
Episodic – Similar to how storybooks, break into chapters, the episodic
narrative structure typically follows a chronological order however different
aspects of viewpoints are told in different chapters and may disturb the order.
And example of this is Forest Gump.
Linear – Linear structure is the most used, the most common example is a
Disney fairytale. It follows a chronological structure of beginning, middle and
end.
3. TODOROV’S THEORY
Todorov says that to every story there is a simple beginning,
middle and end structure
Equilibrium
Disequilibrium
Attempt to resolve
problem
Acknowledgement
of problem
Restoration
of NEW
Equilibrium
This theory is perfectly valid, however only applies to a linear
narrative, such as fairytales. Since many gangster films do not
follow a simple linear pattern, I will not use a linear narrative.
Notable mob films that go against Todorov’s theory are
Goodfellas and Pulp Fiction.
4. PROPP’S THEORY
Propp states that every story only ever has 8 different types of characters.. Take Finding Nemo
The Villain – usually the cause of the disequilibrium in the narrative – Diver
The donor – Prepares the hero/gives the hero a magical object – Turtles, fish
The helper – Helps the hero in the quest, sidekick? - Dory
The princess/prize/victim – the victim/one in need of ‘saving’, can be an object valuable to hero -
Nemo
The princess’ father – gives the task to the hero
The hero – reacts to the donor – Marlin
The false hero – tries to take credit for the hero’s actions
Most films follow this character theory however not all characters are always present. Especially in
mob films, sometimes the ‘quest’ isn’t clear or there isn’t one.
5. LEVI’S THEORY
Levi says that all films contain binary
opposites
Love VS hate
Red VS Blue
Opposite themes such as good v evil,
power v weakness, crime v justice
and rich v poor are all apparent in
gangster films
However, the gangster genre challenges
this theory as both ‘sides’ of the
themes are not always present at all
times.
In this example, Harry is the
protagonist and Lord
Voldemort is the antagonist.
This image is very effective
as it clearly shows the binary
opposite between the two
characters, good v evil,
young v old, innocent v
corrupted
6. NARRATIVE STRUCTURES IN GANGSTER FILMS
The gangster genre is interesting when compared to other genres’ narrative structures. Since
most ‘heroes’ in gangster films hold aspects expected of the ‘villain’. This makes it hard to
clearly identify the protagonist.
Most gangster films follow the rise and fall of a particular character anyway. He starts off
small, and willing to enter the criminal world, then goes from weak to powerful and maybe
even replacing the boss over time. The gangster is finally destroyed and is given in to the
hands of justice.
They follow Levi’s theory as extreme opposites are usually expressed through the film such
as rich to poor and weak to powerful.
Despite not always following a linear-Todorov narrative structure, Gangster films often still
hold onto a bit of classical hollywood structure as the main character is usually fuelled by
a goal or aim. Often it’s ambitious, like striving to achieve the American Dream of wealth
and riches.
7. NARRATIVE STRUCTURE FOR MY OPENING
For my opening, I think I will use an episodic narrative structure. This is
because many well-know mob films such as Pulp Fiction and
Goodfellas also use this structure. It makes the film feel as if though
it is being told from the main character’s memories, or flashbacks. It
unravels complicated events and can present these events in the
perspectives of different characters. This is not only more
entertaining to watch, the film becomes less predictable and allows
the audience to identify with a number of different characters as they
feel they ‘know their side of the story.
I don’t think Tordov’s theory will help me in my film however I will use
Levi’s theory and build binary opposites about power as this is
common in gangster films. Propp’s theory I will use to help assign the
characters.
