2. How Narrative theory can be applied to our
music video
Narrative theory can be applied in many ways
in our music video, the first way is from Todorov’s
theory involving ‘equilibrium’.
The second narrative theorist is Barthes and how
the audience have to solve puzzles within the
plot.
The final narrative theorist who’s theory can be
applied to our music video is Propp.
3. Todorov
Todorov’s narrative theory can be applied to
our music video very easily. Firstly the narrative
starts off as a ‘equilibrium’ as the wanderer and
his companion are happy together.
Then the ‘disequilibrium’ occurs when the
wanderer goes to the city and eventually his
companion leaves him due to the temptation of
the city.
Finally the ‘new equilibrium’ is established by the
wanderer discarding his memories and starting
a new life without her.
4. Barthes
Barthes theory involves the narrative having lots of
little puzzles for the audience to work out whilst
watching the product. These little puzzles give the
audience pleasure when working them out and
also keeps them engaged with the video.
Our music video contains multiple meanings which
the audience will need to try and work out whilst
watching the video. Some of theses messages are
easier to figure out than others and may require the
audience to watch the video more than once in
order to find these hidden messages.
5. Propp
Propp’s theory involves the roles of characters
within the text.
Our music video has the following characters:
Villain – The City The Hero – The Wanderer
This shows that with the use narrative characters
are formed so that a story can be told to the
audience. Some of these characters were not
intended to be characters in the narrative, but
the story has brought them into the narrative
and given them roles.
