Narrative theory analyzes how media texts communicate meaning through events arranged in a causal sequence over time. Key theorists include Propp, who identified character archetypes like heroes and villains; Todorov, who described the typical narrative structure as an initial equilibrium disrupted by events and resolved with a new equilibrium; and Barthes, who recognized codes like actions and characters that help readers make sense of narratives. Narrative analysis considers elements like camerawork and events that construct meaning for audiences.

1. Narrative Theory
 Narrative: “A chain of events in a cause-effect relationship occurring in time” - the
plot/storyline of a film
 Narrative theoryanalysesthe wayinwhichmediatextscommunicate meaningaboutevents
and can be appliedtoa range of differentmediaincludingfilm, TV andmagazines
 Narrative analysisof internetbasedmediaismore problematic,thoughmaystill be relevant,
for example youcouldconsiderhow someone’sFacebookprofilecreatesanarrative about
theirlife
 Edward Branigan (1992) argues thatnarrative is“a wayof organisingspatial andtemporal
data intoa cause-effectchainof eventswithabeginning,amiddle andendthat embodiesa
judgementaboutthe nature of events”
 VladimirPropp (1928) was a Russiantheoristswhosuggeststhatthere are a limitednumber
of charactertypesthat share a function,whenanaudience readsamediatextitdeploysits
knowledge if these charactertypesinordertodecode the meaningof the text.
 Character typesinclude:
- The villain
- The hero,or character who seekssomething
- The donor,who providesanobjectwithsome magicproperty
- The helper,whoaidsthe hero
- The princess/loveinterest,rewardforthe heroandobjectof the villainsschemes
- Her father,whorewardsthe hero
- The dispatcher,whosendsthe heroontheirway
- The false hero,the character whowas laysclaimto the princessbutisunsuitable and
causescomplications
 Tzvetan Todorov (1969) – 1. Equilibrium–2. Disruptionof the equilibrium –3. Recognition
of the disruption –4. An attemptto repairthe damage – 5. New equilibrium (acontinuous
circle)
 Roland Bathes (1960s) – recognised5codeswhichbreakdownthe narrative to helpthe
readermake sense of it:
- Action code – the eventstakingplace throughactionse.g.afight
- Referential code – the informationandexplanation
- Semantic code – the characters andcharacterisation
- Enigma code – a narrative device thatteasesthe audience bypresentingapuzzle or
riddle tobe solved,thisworkstodelaythe story’sendingpleasurably
- Symboliccode – refersto the connotationsof signs
 Claude Levi-Strauss(1972) – a social anthropologistwhoexaminedhow stories
unconsciouslyreflectthe values,beliefsandmythsof a culture and these are usually
expressedinthe formof binaryoppositions
 Alan Cameron: ModularNarratives (2008) – Since the early1990’s there has beenatrend
towardsnarrative complexitywithinpopularcinema
- Anachronic: modifiedflashbacks/flashforwards,nocleardominance betweennarrative
threads
- Forking-Path:alternative versionsof the story,outcomesthatmightresultfromslight
changes

2. - Episodic:collectionof storiesjoinedbyacommontheme
- Splitscreen: spatial ratherthantemporal lines
 Postmodernnarratives – Characteristicsof postmodernnarrativesinclude:
- Irony,playfulness,blackhumour
- Intertextuality
- Pastiche – imitatingpreviousnarratives
- Metanarratives – a narrative abouta narrative
- Extreme self-reflectivity/self-awareness
- Temporal distortion
- Hyperreality
 Narrative analysis– involvesconsideringarange of elements(mise-en-scene,camerawork,
sound,events) create meaningforthe audience
Theorist Example
Propp Taylorswift– You belongwithme,alove
triangle withTaylorasthe hero,the boy’s
girlfriendasthe villainandthe boynextdoor
as the princess/loveinterest
Todorov
Barthes ClassicAmericanteennarrative:lovetriangle
– love interestwithcheerleaderpopular
girlfriendvsunpopulargeek,action –football
game and school prom
Levi-Strauss