Narrative theory

1. Narrative Theory
 Telling a story
 “A chain of events in a cause and effect relationship occurring in time” (Bordwell and
Thompson)
 “A way of organising spatial and temporal events into a cause-effect chain of events
with a beginning, middle and end that embodies a judgement about the nature of
events” (Branigan 1992)
 It analyses the way in which media texts communicate meaning about events
 Narrative theory can be applied to range of different media.(TV, Film, Photographs
and Magazines)
 Narrative analysis of internet based media is more problematic, though may still be
relevant. E.G. you could consider how someone’s Facebook profile creates a
narrative about their life.
Branigan (1992):
 “A way of organising spatial and temporal events into a cause-effect chain of events
with a beginning, middle and end that embodies a judgement about the nature of
events”
 Narrative will embodyajudgement –ideologyandnarrative
Vladimir Propp (1928):
 RussianTheorist
 StudiedFolkstories,andrealisedthatthere were the same recurringcharacters
The Characters:
1. The Villain
2. The Hero (Or character whowantssomething)
3. The Donor (whoprovidesanobjectwithsome magicproperty)
4. The Helper(Whoaidsthe hero)
5. The Princess(Rewardforthe hero,andobjectof the villainsschemes,canalsobe male)
6. Her Father(Whorewardsthe hero)
7. The Dispatcher(Sendsthe heroonhisway)
8. The False Hero (The characterwho alsolaysclaimto the princessbutis unsuitableand
causescomplication)

2. Tzvetan Todorov (1969):
Roland Barthes (1960’s):
 He recognised5codes
 Theyhelpthe readermake sense of it
The 5 codes:
1. ActionCode (Fight/chase)
2. Referential Code (Informationandexplanation)
3. SemanticCode (characters/characterisation)
4. EnigmaCode (Narrative device thatteasesthe audience bypresentingariddle or
somethingtobe solved)
5. SymbolicCode (Connotationsof signs)
Claude Levi-Strauss (1972):
 Social Anthropologist
 Examinedhowstoriesunconsciouslyreflectthe values.Beliefsandmythsof a culture
 Usuallyexpressedinthe formof a binaryoppositions(aconflictbetween2)

3. Allan Cameron (2008):
 Since the early1990s there has beena trendtowardsnarrative complexitywithinpopular
cinema.
 Anachronic(ModifiedFlashbacks/flash-forwards,nocleardominance betweennarrative
threads)
 ForkingPath(Alternate versionsof the story,outcomesthatmightresultfromslight
changes)
 Episodic( Collectionof stories joinedbyacommon theme)
 SplitScreen(Spatial ratherthantemporal lines)
Postmodern Narratives:
 Irony,playfulnessandblackhumour
 Intertextuality
 Pastiche
 Metanarratives
 Extreme self-reflexivity/self-awareness
 Temporal Distortion
 Hyper-reality
Narrative Analysis:
 Involvesconsideringhowarange of elements(including,mise-en-scene,editing,
camerawork,sound,aswell asevents) create meaningforeverything
 Focusesonhow the meaningsmade bythe audience are constructed

4. Taylor Swift – You Belong With Me
Theorist Example
Propp Hero = Taylor Swift
Princess/Prince =Boy
Villain=OtherGirl
Todorov Equilibrium:She isfine
Disruption:She loveshim
Recognition:seeinghimgooff withanothergirl
Attempttorepair:Goingto the prom
NewEquilibrium: Kissingthe boy
Barthes ActionCode:There isnone
Referential Code:Clearshe loveshim
SemanticCode:Girl andthe Boy
EnigmaCode:How will she getthe boy
SymbolicCode:Notessaying‘Ilove you’
Levi-Strauss Pure Vs.Un-pure
ShortsVs.t-shirt
Blonde Vs.Brunette
Good Vs.Bad
GeekVs.Glamour
CheerleaderVs.MarchingBandMember