2. TODOROV Theory of Narrative
Tzvetan Todorov theorised that all stories have a
beginning, a middle and an end. A connection of
events to interpret the meaning of actions which
would of took place. For a story to be successful it
EQUILIBRIUM must include of:
Equilibrium – A state of balance and
happiness, this will be followed by:
NEW MOMENT OF Moment of Disequilibrium – Something or
EQUILIBBRIUM DISEQUILIBRIUM someone will disrupt the balance and happiness
this will, cause more:
Disequilibrium on which the “hero” in the story
DISEQUILIBRIUM shows recognition and attempts to restore
balance. After all of this a
New Equilibrium is brought into place .
Todorov believes though Equilibrium is
restored, the characters would of transformed or
learnt from the previous disruption.
3. BARTHES
Enigma Code & Pleasure of Text.
PLEASURE OF TEXT:
A book (originally in French then
translated to English) by Roland
Barthes which has two sections
Plaisir and Jouissance which mean
“pleasure” and “orgasm” - Barthes
THE ENIGMA CODE:
explains how a reader or the
The use and set up of text whether it
audience gets pleasure or an
be Television, film or posters are set
orgasmic feeling when they see a
up to pose a question, add
plot unfold the way you want and
mystery, draw the audience in and
expect it to. E.G In a Horror film
make them question the text. E.G A
seeing someone survive at the end
Horror film not revealing the murders
as it means hope for the character.
identity until the end to keep the
This may make the viewer feel joy
suspense of unknowing and mystery
and bliss which is another word for
going.
Jouissance. This can link to the
enigma code of finding out a
mystery behind the story.
4. FREUD Psychoanalysis
Sigmund Freud worked with
psychoanalysis, the subconscious of the
mind and how it is structured. He came
upon to there are 3 parts to the mind.
ID: The most self indulgent and
Irrational part of the brain. If someone
has to much ID then they seek
gratification all the time and can be
uncaring of others.
EGO: This is the most Rational part of the
brain, If someone has a big EGO then they do
you have a reality principle and are very
rational but may be distant from others.
SUPEREGO: The Morality part of the
mind. Value Principal. Someone who seeks
perfection and have a saintly personality
are those with too much SUPEREGO.
5. PROPPS CHARACTER TYPES
Vladimir Propp theorised that there is only 8
broad character types; he found this out by
studying media texts, he studied over 100 and
came to this conclusion:
THE 7 CHARACTER TYPES:
1. The Villain (struggles against Hero)
2. The Donor (prepares the hero/gives him
“magical object” for his journey.
3. The Helper (helps hero on quest)
4. The Wannabe Hero (Pretends to be hero)
1 2 5. The Princess (The Person which the hero
3 4 and other sought after, hero marries)
6. Princess Father (usually dies at beginning
or end of narrative)
7. The Dispatcher (picks the hero up and
sends him off)
1= The villain/ Donor, 2= The Wannabe Hero/The 8. The Hero/Victim, reacts to donor, fights
Helper and Dispatcher, 3=The villain, marries princess.
Hero/victim/Princess and 4. Villains
(CHARACTERS FROM JENNIFERS BODY)
6. STRAUSS BINARY OPPOSITES
Claude Levi Strauss theorised that there is
a constant creation of conflict in a narrative
whether it be visual or conceptual.
Narrative can only end if there is a conflict
resolution at the end.
VISUAL CONFLICT
LIGHT VS. DARK
MADNESS VS STILLNESS
CONCEPTUAL CONFLICT
GOOD VS EVIL
PANIC VS CONTROL
7. CLOVER FINAL GIRL
Carol Clover explained In her book
“Men, Women and Chainsaws” that the
audience identifies and is structurally forced to
identify with the surviving female lead. The
viewers are masochistic voyeurs. Clover helped
bring awareness for gender divisions in film by
Becomes “the introducing the ‘FINAL GIRL’ theory,
final girl” when a Usually a
male is killed off virgin or
or they're sexually
struggling with THE FINAL GIRL
unavailable.
masculinity/
sexuality.
Obtains a
May have a masculine role
unisex name towards the end
and wears by “Public
masculine appropriation”
clothing. as she picks up
weapon
