Narrative theory examines the structure and elements of narratives. Narratives are defined as a chain of causally linked events that unfold over time, having a beginning, middle, and end. Vladimir Propp identified common character archetypes that frequently appear in folk stories, such as heroes, villains, helpers, and princesses. Tzvetan Todorov viewed narratives as progressing from an initial state of equilibrium, through disequilibrium, to a new resolution or equilibrium. Roland Barthes proposed that narratives can be broken down into codes like action, enigma, semantic, referential, and symbolic elements. Claude Levi-Strauss analyzed how myths reflect the cultural values of the societies that produce them, often

1. Narrative Theory
Definitions of Narrative
Narrative is defined as “a chain of events in a cause-effect relationship occurring in time”
(Boardwell & Thompson).
Narrative is “a way of organising spatial and temporal events into a cause-effect chain of
events with a beginning, middle and end that embodies a judgment about the nature of
events” (Branigan).
Vladimir Propp (1928)
Propp studied folk stories from the around the world and found 8 character archetypes
 The Villain
 The Hero
 The Donor – gives the hero something they need to complete their journey
 The Helper – he/she aids the hero on their journey
 The Princess – the hero’s reward
 The Princess’ Father – rewards the hero
 The Dispatcher – gives the hero the quest
 The False Hero – lays claim to princess but is unsuitable for her
Tzvetan Todorov (1969)
 Narratives start in a state of equilibrium
 Evolves into disequilibrium
 Resolves with a new equilibrium
Roland Barthes (1960s)
Narrative can be broken down into 5 codes
 Action Code: events that take place in narrative
 Enigma Code: puzzle or riddle introduced for audience/hero to resolve
 Semantic Code: characters and characterization
 Referential Code: information or explanation given throughout narrative
 Symbolic Code: connotations of signs

2. Claude Levi-Strauss (1972)
He was social anthropologist that studied myths in tribal cultures. He examined how myths
reflect the values of the culture they are created in. These are usually expressed as binary
opposition. His research has been adapted to apply to most themes and subtexts in modern
media.