Narrative Theory

1. Narrative Theory
LUCY JONES

2. Narrative’s importance
Even though newspapers are non-fiction
texts, narrative theory is used to create
the articles that are included. This is
because they are typically structured as
stories, especially considering that
journalists often stretch the truth to make
it a better read for their audience.
Newspapers use certain elements of story-
telling from narrative theories to deliver
the stories to their readers.

3. Todorov’s Theory
Todorov’s theory discusses the events that are featured in a narrative. These are:
1. Equilibrium: This is used to set the scene. This gives information to the
reader of what life is like for the main character before they’re affected.
2. Disruption: Something
happens that has an effect on
the equilibrium creating the
start of the story.
3. Recognition of
Disruption: This is
when the
character notices
the disruption
4. Repair of Disruption:
The character finds it
difficult to deal with the
disruption, but restores
equilibrium.
5. New/Second/Re-equilibrium:
This is when the disruption is over
come. The equilibrium is a new
situation that is either similar,
better or worse than the first one

4. Strauss’ Theory
Levi Strauss believed that all narratives can be reduced
down to binary opposites. For Example:
1. Weak vs Strong
2. Good vs Evil
3. Rich vs Poor
4. Men vs Women
He believes that all narratives are formed around
these binary opposites.

5. Propp’s Theory
Propp believes that every narrative has 8 different character types:
1. The villain
2. The dispatcher
3. The helper
4. The prize/princess
5. Her father
6. The donor
7. The hero
8. The false hero

6. Applying Todorov’s Theory
When applying narrative theories to newspapers Todorov’s theory is not fully applicable as it
works in the opposite way to how newspaper articles are written. Todorov’s states in his theory
that all narratives follow the 5 steps that he come up with (equilibrium, disruption, recognition
of disruption, repair of disruption new/second/re-equilibrium). However this is not the case with
newspaper articles as they are written using the reverse pyramid model which completely
contradicts his theory. The reverse pyramid model is when essentially all the stories details are
placed within the start of the article. The first paragraph will have a high-level of summary, the
second will provide crucial details and then as the story continues the information provided will
be less needed to support the headline. Due to this applying Todorov’s theory isn’t really
possible with newspaper articles as he believes all 5 steps are just as important as each other
and follow the same pattern, however in newspapers the order is near opposite to his theory.

7. Example 1
Unseen wedding photos stolen
Three newly-married couples will never get to see
their wedding pictures after burglars broke in and
stole the snaps from a house in Long Ashton. Two
wedding photographers were staying at a relative’s
house when they had pictures, computer equipment
and cash stolen by burglars. Photos from about 40
ceremonies were stolen between 11pm on September
19 and 3am on September 20. The haul included
pictures from three weddings where the newlyweds
had not received copies. An Avon and Somerset
Constabulary spokesman said: “Computer equipment,
including hard drives containing the photos were
taken along with a backpack containing travel
documents and foreign money. “Anyone who has
been offered any computer equipment for sale, or
who has any information about the burglary, is asked
to call PC Martin Greening via 101 and give the call
handler the reference 5216209299.”
Applying Propp’s Theory:
• The pictures are the prize as that is what the couples want.
• The burglars are the villains as they stole the photographs.
• People who had been offered items and brought them could
be viewed as the false hero’s as they’re aiding the villain, but
could be seen as innocent.
• PC Martin Greening could be considered the hero as he is
trying to solve the situation.
• The public are shown as the helpers and the dispatcher and/or
the donor as they will be responsible for helping the hero find
the burglars.
Applying Strauss’ Theory:
• Police vs burglars (good vs evil) (strong vs weak) (protagonist vs
antagonist)
• Photographer vs burglars (rich vs poor)
• Married couples vs burglars (civilised vs savage)

8. Example 2
Youth support town council’s
seafront shelter
Young people in Clevedon have offered their support for a
proposed youth shelter on the seafront. The town council wants
to build a facility on the Salthouse Fields that youngsters can use
in bad weather and is hoping to gather extra support from other
groups in the town including the Lions Club and YMCA. Children
from The Barn in Great Western Road also attended the council’s
events and amenities meeting while Karen Pike, youth worker,
says it is a ‘fantastic opportunity’ to involve young people in the
community. She said: “A youth shelter offers young people a safe
place to congregate and keep dry and out of the elements whilst
they socialise with friends and enjoy our beach area. “If it goes
ahead and is supported by Clevedon Town Council it will also be
another fantastic opportunity for young people to become
involved with shaping the community in which they live, aiding
them to feel welcome and accepted.” The council will approach
other groups in the town to boost funding for the project and if
enough support it could also look to improve the seafront
skatepark. The authority has also received concerns from seafront
residents about potential antisocial behaviour from shelter users,
but councillors disagree. Cllr David Shopland said: “As someone
who has worked with youths for many years, I believe there is no
greater percentage of naughty youth than there was when we
were young, and adults at that time had faith in our common
sense and provided facilities for us. “I believe we should do the
same today for our kids.”
Applying Propp’s Theory:
• Youth shelter can be seen as the prize.
• Young people of Clevedon can be seen as the helpers
and hero as they’re assisting.
• Lions Club and YMCA could be considered donors as
they will most likely provide resources.
• The Town Council could be viewed as the dispatchers
as they want to build it.
• The local residents fit the description of the villains
and potentially false hero’s as they believe it is a bad
idea and may lead to anti-social behaviour, but if it
does work out could possibly claim they support it.
Applying Strauss’ Theory:
• Youths vs residents (young vs old) (weak vs strong)
• Council vs residents ( good vs evil)

9. Example 3
Hardware store will close after
16 years
A family-run business in Backwell is closing as it cannot compete
with the internet. Chris and Jane Townsend have been running
Mica, in Farleigh Road, for 16 years but they can no longer afford
to keep the hard- ware store open. Chris said: “There isn’t
sufficient business here anymore and I can’t sustain it any longer.
“I’d rather not close but I’ve got no choice in the matter. “We sell
lots of bits and pieces but people tend to buy the bigger items on
the internet. I think a lot of retailers are in the same boat. “We
haven’t got a large footfall here and we’re not near any larger
stores so we don’t get much passing trade. “We’ve enjoyed our
time here and met some nice people. We will be running the
stocks down before closing.” Village leaders are now calling for
residents to support their village shops. Parish council chairman
Bob Taylor said: “It’s very sad. They are a nice family and their
children also worked in the shop. “He used to employ a lot of
youngsters and there aren’t many jobs around so that’s another
sad loss. “Most of the shops in Backwell are struggling. We are
asking our residents to support them.”
Applying Propp's theory:
• The internet is what has destroyed the business so can be viewed
as the villain.
• Mica (the shop)/customers can be seen as the prize.
• Village leaders could be considered dispatcher(s) and/or donors
as they’re asking the public (potentially hero’s and/or helpers) to
support the local businesses.
• Public could also be seen as false hero’s as they weren’t
supporting them in the first place.
Applying Strauss’ Theory:
• Family run business vs internet (rich vs poor, weak vs strong and
good vs evil)
• Bits and pieces vs bigger items (big vs small)