1. Todorov’s Theory of
Equilibrium
You Belong With Me- Taylor Swift

2. The Theory…
Todorov suggested that:- Stories begin with an equilibrium of status quo
where any potentially opposing forces are in balance.
This is disrupted by some event, setting in chain a series of events.
Problems are solved so that order can be restored to the world of the
fiction.
1. A state of equilibrium (stability) at the start.
2. A disruption of the equilibrium by some action.
3. A recognition that there has been a disruption.
4. An attempt to repair the disruption.
5. A reinstatement of the equilibrium.

3. There is stability at the beginning of the video because the audience can see that this
is a romantic story about two college students who are flirting across two houses

4. The stability continues until it is disrupted by another character who goes off with the
male character.

5. The equilibrium is disrupted again when we see that the male character has broken up
with the other girl.

6. There is an attempt to repair the disruption when the first two characters meet again
and confess their love for each other, referencing the beginning of the video.

7. The equilibrium is reinstated as the two characters kiss as the song finishes. This
reinstates that equilibrium that was stable at the beginning about the two characters
being in love.