The document discusses three narrative theories: Vladimir Propp's characterization roles in stories, Claude Lévi-Strauss's concept of binary oppositions that structure narratives, and Tzvetan Todorov's five stage model of narrative structure including an initial equilibrium, disruption, recognition of disruption, attempt to repair it, and reinstatement or creation of a new equilibrium.

1. NARRATIVE
THEORIES
Josh Brown

2. VLADIMIR PROPP
 Character type Role or Function
 Hero Undertakes a journey or a quest
 Villain Will attempt to thwart or kill the hero
 Donor Gives the task to the hero
 Helper Is a friend who helps the hero to complete their quest
 Princess /Her father Provides the hero with an object or reward to aid them in their quest
 Dispatcher A character who sends the hero on their quest
 False Hero Takes the credit for the hero’s actions
We can find different characters filing these roles in lots of texts, especially the more traditional,
happy-ending style.

3. LÉVI-STRAUSS
 Binary Opposition
 Lévi-Strauss states that we see the world, people and places by forming Binary Oppositions His theory states that all narratives are
arranged around the conflict between the opposites!
 Good Vs Evil
 Men Vs Women
 Light Vs Dark
 Technology Vs Nature
 War Vs Peace
 Age Vs Youth
 Strong Vs Weak
 Democracy Vs Dictatorship
 And lots lots more!!!!

4. TODOROV
Todorov suggested that conventional narratives are structured in five stages:
 1. a state of equilibrium at the outset;
 2. a disruption of the equilibrium by some action;
 3. a recognition that there has been a disruption;
 4. an attempt to repair the disruption;
 5. a reinstatement of equilibrium or a new equilibrium created.
 This type of narrative structure is very familiar to us and can be applied to many ‘mainstream’ film narratives.