The main four narrative theories:

1. Narrative theory
THE WAY IN WHICH A STORY IS TOLD IN
BOTH FICTIONAL AND NON FICTIONAL
MEDIA TEXTS.
There are FOUR main narrative theories:
1 2
Vladimir Propp’s Theory Levi-Strauss binary opposition
theory
3 4
Barthes enigma code Todorov’s Theory

2. 1
Vladimir Propp’s Theory:
 He proposed that it was possible to classify the characters
and their actions into clearly defined roles and functions
 From studying Russian Fairytales, he discovered that in
most stories there are always 8 types of characters present:
The hero, the villain, the donor, the dispatcher, the
false hero, the helper, the Princess and her father-
however he didn’t state that these characters had to be
different people.
 Once you have identified the character type it is relatively
easy to guess what they will do (i.e. save the maiden, defeat
the villain or marry the maiden) because each character has
a sphere of action.
Harry Heath

3. 2
Levi- Strauss’ binary opposition theory:
 He examined how stories unconsciously reflect the values,
beliefs and myths of a culture.
 This narrative theory is the study that narrative tension is
based on opposition or conflict.
 This could be as simple as two characters fighting, but these
function more often at an ideological level. For example, in
Westerns, you have:
Harry Heath

4. 3
Barthes’ enigma code:
 This narrative establishes enigmas or mysteries as it goes
along. Then it will gradually solve these inputted
mysteries.
 He suggested that narrative works with five different
codes which activate the reader to make sense of it. These
five codes are:
 He also used the term denotation and connotation to
analyse images.
Harry Heath

5. 4
Todorov’s theory:
 He suggests that films and programmes begin with
equilibrium (a calm period). Then agents of disruption
cause disequilibrium- which is a period of unsettlement
with lots of noise.
 This is then followed by a renewed state of peace and
harmony for whoever the protagonists may be; this new
equilibrium brings the chaos to an end. This is often
referred as a ‘Classic’ or ‘Hollywood’ narrative.
 Equilibrium> Disequilibrium> New equilibrium
Harry Heath