narrative theories applied to now by paramore

1. NARRATIVE THEORIES
Applied to music video “Now” by
Paramore

2. Tzvetan Todorov (1977)
The equilibrium of the plot is represented in a very visual way in this first shot.
They are literally ‘on level playing field’ , both occupying the same amount of
space in the frame etc.

3. The equilibrium is then disrupted by the (presumable) antagonist throwing a
grenade at the (presumable) protagonist, the front woman of the band.

4. There is conflict all around, seemingly triggered by the conflict existing
between the antagonist and the protagonist. There is no evidence in the
syuzhet to support a fabula in which there is other reason for the war to take
place. Therefore, the viewer infers that the cause of the war is the conflict (of
ideologies) between these two characters.

5. TIM O’SULLIVAN 1998
• Argues that all media texts tell some kind of story about the
culture of the society to which it is marketed.
• The interpretation of the text relies on careful mediation from the
producer which is deciphered by the audience.
• There are often several interpretations available, due to the
varying ideologies of groups and individuals.
• However, the producers are somewhat aware of these varying
interpretations and mediate the text so it will portray the
institution’s ideologies as effectively as is possible.

6. INTERPRETATION 1
• CONFORMIST VS NON-CONFORMIST
Claude Lèvi-Strauss’ (1958) theory of binary opposites!
Uniforms
Majority
Resemblance to
Nazi eagle on
the pin on his hat
Non-conventional
clothing
Only 3 of them
The only female
fighter
Coloured
powder mark
them as different

7. FATHER DAUGHTER CONFLICT
• Due to the ages of the pro/antagonist, the two could potentially be
father and daughter.
• The narrative is reminiscent of the conflict that happens between
parents and their children; the child is trying to break away from their
parents, the parents still worry about and want to protect their child.
• This is typical between fathers and daughters because fathers can be
over protective of their daughters which sometimes causes tension
and resentment
• However love heals over all this conflict, as conveyed by the way the
protagonist hugs the antagonist at the end, seemingly ‘melting his
heart’ and ridding him of his anger towards her
• In this way, the text is telling a story about aspects of our culture that
affect many people.
• This story may also be telling of the singer’s own afflictions; therefore
the audience feels as though they may be getting an insight into their
personal lives and experiences
• This is the point of Tim O’Sullivan’s theory; that media texts are
influenced by and reflect the culture towards which they are targeted.

8. • The antagonist’s side uses violence to attempt to oppress the
protagonist’s side
• The protagonist uses minimum force i.e. fighting off the soldiers.
The protagonist’s don’t actually retaliate the violence
• In the end, an act of love seems to bring about peace
• The narrative of the text then serves as a political anti-war
message.
LOVE AND PEACE

9. KATE DOMAILLE (2001)
Every story ever told can be fitted into one of eight narrative types. Each of these narrative types
has a source, an original story upon which the others are based. These stories are as follows:
•Achilles: The fatal flaw that leads to the destruction of the previously flawless, or almost
flawless, person, e.g. Superman, Fatal Attraction.
•Candide: The indomitable hero who cannot be put down, e.g. Indiana Jones, James Bond,
Rocky etc.
•Cinderella: The dream comes true, e.g. Pretty Woman.
•Circe: The Chase, the spider and the fly, the innocent and the victim e.g. Smokey And The
Bandit, Duel, The Terminator.
•Faust: Selling your soul to the devil may bring riches but eventually your soul belongs to him,
e.g. Bedazzled, Wall Street.
•Orpheus: The loss of something personal, the gift that is taken away, the tragedy of loss or the
journey which follows the loss, e.g. The Sixth Sense, Love Story, Born On the Fourth Of July.
•Romeo And Juliet: The love story, e.g. Titanic.
•Tristan and Iseult: The love triangle, Man loves woman…unfortunately one or both of them are
already spoken for, or a third party intervenes, e.g. Casablanca.

10. KATE DOMAILLE APPLIED TO NOW
This narrative fits into two of the plot types indentified by Kate
Domaille. Many media texts do this, as there are seldom just one
theme or one storyline in one media text, meaning that multiple
themes and multiple interveaving storylines fit into different narrative
types.
NOW by Paramore;
• Achilles: The fatal flaw that leads to the destruction of the
previously flawless, or almost flawless, person, e.g. Superman,
Fatal Attraction.
• The antagonist is defeated by being shown affection.
• Circe: The Chase, the spider and the fly, the innocent and the
victim e.g. Smokey And The Bandit, Duel, The Terminator.
• The antagonist is using his army to try to ‘chase down’ the
protagonist side
- PARAMORE

11. Pam Cook 1985
Linearity of cause and effect Antagonist throws grenade
which triggers battle
High degree of narrative
closure
Protagonist survives to
reach antagonist, then hugs
him which consequently
ends war
A fictional world that
contains verisimilitude
especially
governed by spatial and
temporal coherence.
Verisimiltude is created
through costume and
location. We are familiar
with what the costumes
signify and that land battles
happen on open fields.