Four theorists developed theories about narrative structure: - Tzevtan Todorov studied Russian tales and identified a three-part structure of equilibrium, disequilibrium, and resolution. - Claude Levi-Strauss analyzed myths and legends, believing they are structured by conflicts between binary oppositions like good vs evil. - Vladimir Propp suggested folk tales have a limited number of character types that serve specific narrative functions. - Roland Barthes identified five narrative codes - hermeneutic, proairetic, semantic, symbolic, and cultural - that readers use to decode texts.

1. "A story should have a beginning, a middle
and an end, but not necessarily in that
order"- Jean Luc Goddard.
Narrative is the story, a chain of events.
In a cause-effect relationship occurring in
time. - Bordwell & Thompson
4 theorists;
 Tzevtan Todorov
 Claude Levi-Strauss
 Vladimir propp
 Roland Barthes
Tzevtan Todorov studied Russian tales, he
believed that narratives follow a three
part structure. It is a formal way of
thinking about the beginning, middle and
end also known as equilibrium,
disequilibrium and resolution.
Equilibrium – start, level, equal, horror
films start normal and happy.
Disequilibrium – main part, something
happens also known as disorder.
Resolution – things level out, exorcism
life turns to normality.
Claude Levi-Strauss studies myths and
legends and he believed that all narratives
are structured by pairs of binary
oppositions. He argues that narratives are
organised around the conflict between
binary opposites such as good vs evil, love
vs hate, black vs white and strong vs weak.

2. Vladimir Propp’s theory is based on
analysis of folk tales and legends. He
suggests that there are limited number of
character types which share a function
within a narrative. (Hero, villain,
princess etc.
Roland Barthes identifies 5 narrative codes
which readers use to decode texts.
 Hermeneutic code
 Proairetic code
 Semantic code
 Symbolic code
 Cultural code
Hermeneutic code – mysteries, holding the
truth back. It refers to any element in a
story that is not explained.
Snares; deliberately avoid truth, tension,
suspense.
Equivocations; Partial answers
Jamming; no answer, questions never
answered or solved.
Proairetic code - Builds tension by
referring to something else that is going
to happen, get the reader guessing. For
example… a gun is drawn. What will the
resolution be?
Semantic code – Suggests additional meaning
by connotation. Something that signifies
that is one step beyond its basic meaning
for example a woman pulls up in a Ferrari.

3. Semantic code for – she is rich and likes
fast cars.
Symbolic code – Similar to semantic code.
Semantic code is organised together to give
a broader meaning. Barthes was most
interested in antithesis to create meaning
old/young).
Cultural code – Refers to a body of
knowledge like science or religion. Shared
knowledge about the way the world works.