Narrative Theories

1. Todorov’s Narrative Theory
Todorov’s theory was that there’s a
structure of three parts involving
narrative.
1. Equilibrium: everything is
balanced / undisturbed.
1. Disequilibrium: a disturbance of
the equilibrium.
2. Resolution: equilibrium is restored
but is not the same.

2. Todorov’s theory applied to film: The
Godfather
1. Equilibrium: business is normal for the
family.
2. Disequilibrium: Sollozzo (antagonist)
requests help and hires a hit on the Don
when denied.
3. Resolution: Youngest son Michael takes
revenge and becomes the leader.

3. Levi-Strauss’ Narrative Theory
• Levi-Strauss’ theory was that everything followed
binary oppositions (the opposite). An example would
be: GOOD vs Bad because we know that they are the
opposite of each other and can keep balance as well
as disturbing it. His theory was that these binary
oppositions are what set things in motion.
• If we apply this to the film ‘The Godfather’ we can
clearly see that the Don Vito is the good whereas
Sollozzo is the bad and that is where the binary
opposition causes a clash.

4. Vladimir Propp’s Narrative Theory
• Propp’s theory was that there is a specific set of
characters in every film that fit a description that
the film cannot work without. This included:
1. The Hero: restores equilibrium.
2. The Villain: the cause of disruption.
3. The Dispatcher: sends hero on the journey.
4. The Donor: gives hero something to help them.
5. The Helper: accompanies hero on the journey.
6. The Heroine: threatened by villain.
7. The False Hero: supposedly on the side of the
character but actually isn’t.

5. Propp’s Theory applied to ‘The
Godfather’
• The Hero: Michael Corleone
• The Villain: Virgil “The Turk” Sollozzo
• The Dispatcher: Sonny Corleone
• The Donor: Peter Clemenza
• The Helper: Tom Hagen
• The Heroine: Vito Corleone
• The False Hero: none