This document discusses several narrative theories and how they apply to teen slasher films. It analyzes Todorov's narrative structure of equilibrium, disruption, recognition, and new equilibrium. While most films follow this structure, teen slashers are more irregular in their ordering. It also examines Propp's character types and narrative functions, noting teen slashers don't always have clear heroes and have multiple "princess" characters. Finally, it applies Levi-Strauss' concept of binary oppositions and Barthes' "enigma code" to teen slasher conventions like revealing the killer's identity.

1. Narrative
Refers to the way the films story is
structured-the way in which events are
ordered and revealed to the audience.

2. Todorov’s narrative structure
Equilibrium
Disruption of the
equilibrium
Recognition of the
disruption
New equilibrium
An attempt to
repair the
damage caused
by the
disruption.
This is a typical structure to a film and can be seen
in many modern day films as well as films that are
older too.

3. Todrov’s narrative structure applied
Todrovs narrative structure is difficult to apply to
teen slashers as most do contain all of the elements
of the structure but they are all placed in a different
order. For Example in ‘Halloween’ the film starts
with an equilibrium of then teenagers being happy
together in a room, then the disruption of the
equilibrium is the killing of the girl but the rest of
the film is still all killings. Its hard to apply the
structure to most teen slashers as they mainly do
not have a happy ending.

4. Propps Character types and narrative
functions
Vladimir Propp studied loots of folktales and discovered they mainly contained 8
character types and 31 functions that move the story into more depth.
Character type Role
Hero Takes the journey/quest of the film
Villain Attempts to kill or throw off the hero’s plans
Helper A friend or companion that helps the hero
Princess Reward for the hero’s quest. Often trapped by
the villain
Princess’ father Rewards the hero
Dispatcher Character who sends the hero on their quest
False hero Takes credit for hero’s actions
Donor Provides hero with some form of help on their
journey
The 31 functions include events like:
• The hero being stopped from doing something
• The villain learns something about the victim
• The villain punishes the victim, or others

5. Props character types and narrative
theory applied
Like Todrovs structure Prop’s theory is again difficult to apply to
teen slashers as for example there arnt really any general
heroes in them also most characters are the princess figure,
they are all vulnerable and seeking help. They usually do have
girls in need. In scream 4 there is the obvious villain in the film
but the twist is we dont know who it is. There is also in
‘Halloween’ the villain, Michael Myers. I ‘Halloween’ the twist
is we dont know what the villain looks like.

6. Levi-Strauss’ Binary Oppositions
Levi suggested that binary options are key to the meaning in narrative. He argued the
contrast creation of conflict and opposition propels narrative, and that narrative can
only end on a resolution of conflict.
Binary oppositions
examples:
• Good/evil
• Men/women
• Truth/lies
• Normal/abnormal
• Strong/weak
• Natural/unnatural
• Young/old
• Light/dark
It is important that
we judge one half of
each binary one is
more negative than
the other. Therefore
binaries are
ideological as they
are culturally
constructed.

7. Levi Strauss’ Binary oppositions
applied
With Levi Strauss’ Binary opposites we can apply
them to teen slashers. For example we can
apply the good vs evil to most teen slashers,
like in ‘i know what you did last summer’
good= the group of friends receiving the odd
texts. Evil= the one sending them and killing.
Also we can apply the boy vs girl to
‘Halloween’ as Michael Myers stabs his sister
to death.

8. Roland Barthes Enigma code
Barthe believes there are 5 codes in which are woven into every narrative. One of
them being the enigma code. The enigma code is:
• the way the tension is built up and the audience is left guessing what happens
next.
• Clues are dropped but no clear answers are given
• Unanswered enigmas leaves the audience often frustrated but hooked
In teen slasher films generally the main enigma is the killer. For example in Scream
throughout the film we are left guessing who the killer is. We as the audience do not
know who it is, we get given ideas but still don’t know. Another enigma used in teen
slashers is the motif of the killer. We as the audience want to know why the killer is
doing all these things and why these people again leaving the audience frustrated. Foe
example in Halloween we want to know why Michael Myers is killing these people and
why he killed his sister.