2. Todorov 5 stage theory
Tzvetan Todorov was a Bulgarian/French philosopher, historian, literary critic and sociologist.
He was born in Bulgaria and died there in 2017.
He is famous for his renown 5 stage theory. This stated that all narratives followed a specific
structure.
Equilibrium- This is how the narrative starts, there is balance and we the audience are
introduced to the characters and their current situation.
Disruption of equilibrium- where there is a break in equilibrium and the general feeling
surrounding the situation changes.
The recognition- The characters then recognize the issue and more drama occurs. More
characters are introduced into the issue.
Attempts to repair the situation- The characters are the seen trying to repair the situation and
return to equilibrium.
Return to Equilibrium- The characters fix the situation and balance is restored within the
characters and the situation. However, things may have changed
3. Friends season 7 Episode 13
The following examples is taken from the
Friends episode “The one where Rosita dies”
4. The equilibrium
The episode starts with Racheal living in the
apartment and living life in the apartment.
As of yet there is no conflict and there is
balance between the characters.
5. Disruption
Racheal attempts to move the chair in order to
create space for herself. She ends up breaking
Joeys beloved chair ‘Rosita’ She then tells
Joey that she will buy him a new chair later on.
This is the start of the imbalance between the
characters.
6. The Recognition
Chandler is then seen in the apartment. He
sits on the chair and believes that is was him
that broke the chair
He is then seen panicking and running out of
the room. Resulting in more people being
aware of the situation at hand.
7. Repair
Chandler attempts to repair the situation by
buying Joey a new chair. But Racheal also
buys Joey a new chair. This leads to them
having two chairs in the house.
This is an attempt to repair the situation
However, Joey finds himself being jealous of
Racheal's chair
8. Return
Joey destroys chandlers chair and they are
seen sharing the superior chair and watching
on TV . This is the return to equilibrium as now
the situation is back to how it started. And the
balance between the characters is restored.
9. Propp’s character types
Vladimir Propp was a Russian Scholar who created the renown narrative theory that there are 7 main
character types in each narrative. He suggested that there is:
The Hero – Generally the main character of the story. They are usually on a mission or a quest
generally to save the damsel in distress. The viewer generally identifies with this character
The Villain- The villain is generally the contrast of the hero. This character is the bad guy in the
film. He is generally seen having a conflict with the hero. The contrast between him and the hero
highlights the good of the hero to the viewers.
The Donor- The donor gives the hero something special or important on there mission that
generally helps him succeed in his mission.
The Helper- The helper supports the hero on their mission. They are almost the hero’s sidekick.
The Dispatcher- The dispatcher is generally the person who sends the hero on his quest. This is
generally the father or mother of the damsel.
The False Hero- This is the character who appears to be the hero and is sometimes mistaken for
the hero. This character will try to take credit for the hero’s actions and may even try to marry the
princess.
11. Hero- Shrek
To restore equilibrium and get his swamp back Shrek
has to go and defeat the villain. He saves Fiona and
gets her love. He then goes and saves her from
becoming married to lord Farquaad.
He is not the stereotypical hero as he challenges the
conventions of a hero. This is as Shrek is not loved by
all and isn’t good looking.
12. The Helper- Donkey
The helper assists the hero in his mission. In
this scenario, Donkey helps Shrek on his quest
of finding Fiona. He also supports him
throughout his quest.
13. The Villain- Lord Farquaad
Lord Farquaad is the villain as he is after princess Fiona
for himself and attempts to stop Shrek and everything
he is doing. He dumps all the fairy tale creatures at
Shrek’s swamp forcing him out. He wants to marry
Fiona in order to become king. The viewers are inclined
to dislike him due to his demands and forcing Viona to
marry him.
14. The Damsel In Distress- Fiona
The damsel in distress usually need help to be
rescued by the hero. In this example, Fiona is the
damsel. This is as she needs saving and Shrek is
going to save her. At the start she is a stereotypical
princess character however, as she transforms she
goes against the stereotype to a an unattractive
ogre
15. The Dispatcher- Lord Farquaad
Lord Farquaad sends Shrek on his mission in
order to get Fiona back. He tells Shrek if he
wants to get his swamp back he must go on a
quest to save Fiona. He sends Shrek of on his
quest.
16. False hero
Prince charming is the false hero of the movie.
This is as he is seen attempting to rescue Fiona
to become King. He is seen attempting to take
Shrek’s credit and he pretends to be Shrek in
order to win her over.
17. The Donor
Mongo is the dispatcher in Shrek. He is seen
opening the bridge and keeping it open long
enough for Shrek and the crew to get onto the
bridge.
