1. NARRATIVE STRUCTURE
TRISTANTODOROV
Events in a story have a causal relationship with one event leading to an other in a
pattern of cause and effect.The very notion of ‘cause and effect’implies a change in a
state of affairs. For Todorov,the primary function of narrative is to solve a problem.It
is this that forms the basis of Todorov’s theory of narrative. His modelbegins with a
state of equilibrium, a condition in which everything is in a state of order. This state of
equilibrium is disrupted either by a force of some kind or through the actions of an
individual. The narrative progressesto a restoration of equilibrium, or order.
Todorovbreaks the narrative process downinto five stages
• A state of equilibrium at the outset
• A disruption of the equilibrium by some action
• A recognition that there has been a disruption
• An attempt to repair the disruption
• A reinstatement of the initial equilibrium.
TODOROV APPLIED TO BATMAN
A state of equilibrium at the outset Batman hasn’t beenseen for 8 years and
normality is in Gotham city. Because of
this Bruce Wayne is in hiding as there is
no need for him in Gotham anymore
A disruption of the equilibrium by some
action
Cat woman robs of batman, bane takes
over Gotham and all hell breaks lose
when prisoners are released and the law
has been broke.
A recognitionthat there has beena
disruption
Bane blows all the bridges and alerts the
world he has Gotham captured and is
going to blow up the city to bring ‘Justice’
An attempt to repair the disruption Batman escapesthe prison and returns to
Gotham City and brings hope to the
people captured in Gotham.
A reinstatement of the initial equilibrium. Batman defeats Bane and his only choice
is to take the bomb out to sea as far as
possible to save Gotham’s people