1. NARRATIVE STRUCTURE
TRISTANTODOROV
Events in a story have a causal relationship with one event leading to an other in a
pattern of cause and effect.The very notion of ‘cause and effect’implies a change in a
state of affairs. For Todorov,the primary function of narrative is to solve a problem.It
is this that forms the basis of Todorov’s theory of narrative. His modelbegins with a
state of equilibrium, a condition in which everything is in a state of order. This state of
equilibrium is disrupted either by a force of some kind or through the actions of an
individual. The narrative progressesto a restoration of equilibrium, or order.
Todorovbreaks the narrative process downinto five stages
• A state of equilibrium at the outset
• A disruption of the equilibrium by some action
• A recognition that there has been a disruption
• An attempt to repair the disruption
• A reinstatement of the initial equilibrium.
TODOROV APPLIED TO BATMAN
A state of equilibrium at the outset Everything is great with Gotham, Batman
and organized crime has not been seen
for 8 years.
A disruption of the equilibrium by some
action
Bane defeats Batman and sets of a bomb
to go off in six months and puts Batman
(Bruce) in a underground prison
somewhere in the world.
A recognitionthat there has beena
disruption
Bane introduces himself to Gotham via a
public speechon the T.V
An attempt to repair the disruption Batman gets out of the prison, goes to see
Selina Kyle for help and then frees the
police that were trapped underground for
a preparation of war.

2. A reinstatement of the initial equilibrium. Batman defeats Bane and saves Gotham
from Destruction.