Narrative theory

1. Narrative Theory
Propp (1928)- Propp was a Russian theoristwho suggests thatthere are a
limited number of character types that sharea function:
*The villain
*The Hero, the character who seeks something
*The donor, who provides an object with some magic property
*The helper, who aids the hero
*The princess, reward for thehero, damselin distress
*Her Father, who rewards the hero
*The despatcher, who sends the hero on his way
*The falsehero, the character who also lays claim to the princess but is
unsuitable and causes complications
Now a days in film we often see the characters merged.
Tordov (1969)- Every filmstarts with normality (equilibrium), in the middle
something bad happens that needs to be overcome(disequilibrium) and at the
end the problemis solved (back to equilibrium)
Barthes(1960s)- heclaims that there are 5 codes to help reader make sense.
1- Actioncode which refers to the events taking place through action eg.
Fight, chase, fight between bf and gf
2- Referential code which refers to the information and explanation given
to further the plot
3- Semantic code which refers to the characters and characterisation, what
we find out about the characters through the film
4- Enigma code which is a narrativedevise that teases the audience by
presenting a puzzleor riddle to be solved. Works to delay the story’s
ending

2. 5- Symbolic code which refers to the connotation of signs, analysis of
people by how they look etc, morel of the story
Levi-strauss (1972)- Hecame up with the term Binary oppositions:
This means a conflict between two qualities or terms. Good against Bad, pretty
against ugly, small house, big houseetc
Narrativetheory analyses the way in which media texts communicate meaning
about events. Narrative theory can be applied to a range of differentmedia
including film, TV, photographs and magazines.