The narrative structure refers to both the content and form of a story. It is comprised of two main elements - the story, or raw chronological events, and the plot, which is how the story is structured and presented. The narrative structure also includes codes like action codes, which describe a causal chain of events, and enigma codes, which rely on clues and mysteries to drive the plot forward. Additionally, theorists have proposed concepts like equilibrium, where a story starts in balance and events disrupt it before resolution, and binary oppositions, where meanings rely on conceptual contrasts. Character roles and their functions are also important components of narrative analyzed by theorists.

1. Narrative structure

2. What is Narrative structure
• In the most simplest terms the narrative structure is
about two things: the content of a story and the form
used to tell the story. Two common ways to describe
these two parts of narrative structure are story and
plot. Story refers to the raw materials of dramatic
action as they might be described in chronological
order.
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3. Narrative codes
• The narrative structure is made up of codes:
• Hermeneutic code = Enigma codes
• Paraenetic code = Action codes

4. Action Codes Enigma codes
Roland Barthes came up with
this idea of action codes; that
in films and narratives one
action will lead to another
and this is how the story is
created and is where it comes
from. For example a man is
shot and then the police
investigate this. The audience
therefore know why these
things are happening.
However on the flip side there
is another theory. Enigma
codes. That its mysteries and
signs that move the plot
along, its up to the audience
to watch and suss out what is
going on. An example is facial
expressions that people make
the music that players, this
carries the plot forward but
the audience are required to
figure out what is going to
happen based on this signals.

5. Tzvetan Todorov
• He came up with the
Equilibrium theory. This
theory suggests that a film
or any narrative starts of
with a equilibrium where
everything is balanced. As
the story goes on this is
disrupted by different event
that go on through the story.
These problems are then
resolved at he end and we
are back at the equilibrium.

6. Binary oppositions
• Levi-Strauss brought about this theory of
Binary oppositions. A good way to help
understand the meanings within a narrative.
• For example: -Male - Female
-Hero/Heroin - Villain
-Light - Dark
He said that the construction or existence of
these meanings were dependant, to a certain
extent, on there oppositions.

7. Vladimir Propp
• Propp looked at the relationship between the narrative and characters.
• He argued that plots are driven by the characters and that the story develops
around the characters. he analysed the function of characters in within the story.
• The hero/heroin – has a mission to complete something. He carries the events
through the story. (James Bond)
• The villain – Driven by evil motives and tried to prevent the hero from saving the
day. (Jaws from the James Bond films)
• The donor- aids the hero by helping him. (Q from the James Bond films)
• The dispatcher – sent the hero on a mission. (M from the James Bond films)
• The false hero – pretends to be good but tricks the hero my giving them false help.
(Bond girls)
• The helper – Sidekick who helps the hero along the way (Money penny in Skyfall)
• The princess - stereotypical person in distress. (Bond girl about to be eaten by a
shark)