Narrative refers to story structure and devices used in genres. There are linear narratives with a clear beginning, middle, and end, as identified by Aristotle. There are also circular narratives where the beginning and end are the same. Todorov's narrative theory states stories follow an equilibrium-disequilibrium-recognition-resolution-restoration structure. Propp analyzed folktales and identified 8 character roles and 31 functions that advance the story. Barthes identified codes within narratives, including the hermeneutic code of unexplained mysteries, the semantic code of additional meanings, the cultural code of assumed truths, the proairetic code of implied future actions, and the symbolic code of deeper meanings.

1. Narrative
Narrative refers to the different types of story structure that genres employ
as well as the actual story-telling devices and narrative moments which they
are associated with.
There are narrative structures such as LINEAR narrative.This means that
there will be a clear beginning, middle and end. ARISTOTLE identified the
basic linear line structure. He observed that the middle section may involve
some crisis resolved by the end of the story.
There are also CIRCULAR narrative structure where the beginning is the
same as the end of the film. This has been done in the play ‘Blood Brothers’
and the film ‘The Hangover’.
Freytag adapted Aristotle's basic triangle the idea of the plot complicating.
Climax
The rising and falling action can vary
Rising Action Falling Action during film trailers, typically with the a
slow building rising action with an abrupt
ending which usually uses a series of
Exposition End short takes and fast pace editing.

2. Narrative Theorists
Todorov’s narrative theory states that a narrative will follow this structure:
-EQUILIBRIUM (how the place and characters begin at the beginning of the
story)
-DISEQUILIBRIUM (a disruption to the equilibrium)
-RECOGNITION of the disruption
-RESOLUTION (plan to resolve the disequilibrium)
-RESTORATION OF EQUILLIBRIUM (the story returns back to the beginning).
Vladimir Propp went through hundreds of fairy/folk tales and identified:
-8 character roles (villain, hero, donor, helper, princess, her father, dispatcher,
false hero)
-31 functions which moves the story along e.g. punishment of villain or ban of an
action.

3. Todorov’s theory can be applied to horror films such as
Sweeny Todd.
1.Benjamin Barker returns to London after 15 years arrest in Australia under the new
identity of Sweeny Todd, hoping to regain a new normal life. (Equilibrium)
2.However when in Fleet Street he learns (by Mrs Lovett) that his wife poisoned herself
after Judge Turpin (who falsely charged Benjamin) raped her. He also learns that the
judge is the legal guardian of his daughter. (Disequilibrium)
3.Todd decides to reopen his barber shop but can not help but feel angry towards Judge
Turpin and lets his anger get the better of him when he murders a man who blackmails
him and misses an opportunity to murder Judge Turpin. (Recognition)
4.Todd then turns his revenge on the entire world and vents his murderous rage on his
customers whilst waiting until he can kill Judge Turpin. Mrs Lovett then comes up the
idea to use the dead bodies in her pies in order to make more money and improve her
business, thus they both benefit from the situation. (Repair/solution)
5.At the end of the story Todd kills what seems to be a beggar women and Turpin.
However the beggar women turned out to be his wife, that Miss Lovett lied about her
dying so Todd throws Miss Lovett into the furnace. Whilst cradling his dead wife Todd
lets a boy named Toby kill him so Todd can be at peace with his wife. (Restoration)

4. Roland Barthes
The Hermeneutic Code: any element within the story that is not fully
explained and becomes a mystery to the reader. The real truth is often
avoided.
The Semantic Code: the connotation within the story that gives additional
meaning over the basic meaning of the word therefore we are able to paint
images with our minds.
The Cultural Code: anything that cannot be challenged and is assumed to be
the foundation of truth. This usually involves either science or religion
however magical truths are often found in fantasy films.
The Proairetic Code: builds tension within the film by implying that some
other piece of action is about to happen which makes the audience keep
guessing. This is usually done within horror films.
The Symbolic Code: organizes semantic meanings into broader and deeper
sets of meanings.