2. What is narrative?What is narrative?
In media terms, narrative is theIn media terms, narrative is the
coherence/organisation given to a series ofcoherence/organisation given to a series of
facts. The human mind needs narrative to makefacts. The human mind needs narrative to make
sense of things. We connect events and makesense of things. We connect events and make
interpretations based on those connections. Ininterpretations based on those connections. In
everything we seek a beginning, a middle andeverything we seek a beginning, a middle and
an end. We understand and construct meaningan end. We understand and construct meaning
using our experience of reality and of previoususing our experience of reality and of previous
texts. Each text becomes part of the previoustexts. Each text becomes part of the previous
and the next through its relationship with theand the next through its relationship with the
audience.audience.
3. Narrative theoristsNarrative theorists
Tvzetan TodorovTvzetan Todorov : Bulgarian literary theorist who suggested most: Bulgarian literary theorist who suggested most
narratives start with a state of equilibrium in which life is ‘normal’narratives start with a state of equilibrium in which life is ‘normal’
and protagonists happy. This state of normality is disrupted by anand protagonists happy. This state of normality is disrupted by an
outside force, which has to be fought against in order to return to aoutside force, which has to be fought against in order to return to a
state of equilibrium. (i.e. equilibrium, disequilibrium, new equilibrium)state of equilibrium. (i.e. equilibrium, disequilibrium, new equilibrium)
This model can easily be applied to a wide range of films.This model can easily be applied to a wide range of films.
Vladimir ProppVladimir Propp : Russian critic and literary theorist. Analysed over: Russian critic and literary theorist. Analysed over
100 Russian fairytales in the 1920s. He proposed that it was100 Russian fairytales in the 1920s. He proposed that it was
possible to classify the characters and their actions into clearlypossible to classify the characters and their actions into clearly
defined roles and functions. Films such as Star Wars fit Propp’sdefined roles and functions. Films such as Star Wars fit Propp’s
model precisely, but a a significant number of more recent filmsmodel precisely, but a a significant number of more recent films
such as Pulp Fiction do not. The model is useful, however as itsuch as Pulp Fiction do not. The model is useful, however as it
highlights the similarities between seemingly quite different stories.highlights the similarities between seemingly quite different stories.
Propp’s Character Roles; The hero (seeks something) The villainPropp’s Character Roles; The hero (seeks something) The villain
(opposes the hero) The donor (helps the hero by providing a magic(opposes the hero) The donor (helps the hero by providing a magic
object) The dispatcher (sends the hero on his way) The false heroobject) The dispatcher (sends the hero on his way) The false hero
(falsely assuming the role of hero) The helper (gives support to the(falsely assuming the role of hero) The helper (gives support to the
hero) The princess (the reward for the hero, but also needshero) The princess (the reward for the hero, but also needs
protection from the villain)protection from the villain)
4. Claude Levi-Strauss:Claude Levi-Strauss: Social Anthropologist.Social Anthropologist.
Studied myths of tribal cultures. Examined howStudied myths of tribal cultures. Examined how
stories unconsciously reflect the values, beliefsstories unconsciously reflect the values, beliefs
and myths of a culture. These are usuallyand myths of a culture. These are usually
expressed in the form of binary oppositions. Hisexpressed in the form of binary oppositions. His
research has been adapted by media theorists toresearch has been adapted by media theorists to
reveal underlying themes and symbolicreveal underlying themes and symbolic
oppositions in media texts. (Binary Oppositions isoppositions in media texts. (Binary Oppositions is
a conflict between two qualities or terms. )a conflict between two qualities or terms. )
5. Narrative in horror filmsNarrative in horror films
Todorov’s theory of equilibrium can be applied toTodorov’s theory of equilibrium can be applied to
the genre of horror usually starts as if everythingthe genre of horror usually starts as if everything
is normal with the main character beingis normal with the main character being
introduced. However something odd will occur,introduced. However something odd will occur,
forcing certain minor characters to becomeforcing certain minor characters to become
victims causing the hero to take charge andvictims causing the hero to take charge and
solve the problem. The solving of the problem,solve the problem. The solving of the problem,
i.e. finding the killer at the end could be seen asi.e. finding the killer at the end could be seen as
the resolution of the narrative. Propp’s characterthe resolution of the narrative. Propp’s character
theory also can fit in with this on some horrortheory also can fit in with this on some horror
films.films.
6. Narrative in horror filmsNarrative in horror films
Todorov’s theory of equilibrium can be applied toTodorov’s theory of equilibrium can be applied to
the genre of horror usually starts as if everythingthe genre of horror usually starts as if everything
is normal with the main character beingis normal with the main character being
introduced. However something odd will occur,introduced. However something odd will occur,
forcing certain minor characters to becomeforcing certain minor characters to become
victims causing the hero to take charge andvictims causing the hero to take charge and
solve the problem. The solving of the problem,solve the problem. The solving of the problem,
i.e. finding the killer at the end could be seen asi.e. finding the killer at the end could be seen as
the resolution of the narrative. Propp’s characterthe resolution of the narrative. Propp’s character
theory also can fit in with this on some horrortheory also can fit in with this on some horror
films.films.
