1. Narrative investigation
What is narrative?
A story of account of events/experiences or something similar whether true
or fictitious
What Narrative theorists can you find?
1. Vladimir Propp (Russian Literary theorist)
 Analysed over 100 Russian fairy tales in the 1920’s
 He proposed that is was possible to classify the characters and their
actions into clearly defined roles and functions
 Films such as star wars fits Props model precisely but significant
number of more recent films such as pulp fiction do not
 Props character roles
- The HERO (seeks something)
- The VILLAIN (Apposes the hero)
- The DONOR (helps the hero)
- The DISPATCHER (sends the hero on is way)
- The FASLE HERO (Falsely assuming the role of the hero)
- The HELPER (gives support to the hero)
- The PRINCESS (Reward for the hero but also needs
protection from the villain)
- He FATHER (Over Protective)
2. Tzvetan Todorov (Bulgarian literary theorist)
 Suggests that most narratives start with a state of equilibrium in
which life is normal and the protagonist/main character happy.
This state of normality is normally disrupted by an outside force,
which has to be fought against in order to return the state of
equilibrium
 This model can be easily applied to a variety of films
 Equilibrium Disequilibrium New Equilibrium

2. What narrative theories can you link to the horror genre?
Vladimir Propp’s Theory can be linked to the horror genre as in
most typical horror films this ranking of characters is usually
present give or take a few roles, these characters roles will
become apparent to the audience early on in the film with the
main roles of The Hero and the Villain are usually the first to be
shown as these are typically the protagonists throughout the
film
Tzvetan Todorov’s theory is very easy to recognise within the
horror genre as it is displayed the whole way through the film,
the equilibrium at the start will become apparent the audience
and that creates suspense, as they are aware something is going
to happen to create disequilibrium, and even once equilibrium is
restore nearer the end of the film some audiences will still find

3. them selves questioning whether the equilibrium is fully back to
normal, if it is not this is usually when a sequel of the original
film will be made to carry on the story.