2. PROPP
Propp’s theory is that in each narrative there is a set of characters
which reappear in each story.
In this video we can clearly see a hero and a damsel in distress.
We can also clearly see a villain which steals the damsel off the
hero and Donors which help the hero on his quest.
3. STRAUSS
He suggests the presence of binary oppositions such as good and
bad, rich and poor and so on.
In this video the most apparent binary opposition is good vs. evil.
4. BARTHES
He identified 5 different codes within music videos; enigma code
which intrigues the audience to solve the problem, the action code
which is when the audience is excited by the need to resolve the
problem, the semantic code which is the connotations within it, the
symbolic code which is assumptions and expectations and finally a
cultural code which is when the meaning comes from a share cultural
knowledge.
5. BARTHES CONTINUED
We can see an enigma code when the damsel is stolen which then
leads on to an action code when the hero goes to save her. The villain
connotes a symbolic code as we see him as evil by the way that he is
dressed and also the fact that he looks quite shady.
6. TODOROV
This theory suggests that there are 5 stages. Original equilibrium,
disruption, recognition of disruption, attempt to restore and new
equilibrium.
In this we can see the disruption as the girl being stolen and the
attempt to restore the equilibrium as the hero going to save her.
