Narrative explores conventions like genre, character, form, and time through how the story is told as events unfold. There are different narrative structures like linear (beginning, middle, end), circular (beginning at the end/middle), open (leaves questions), and closed (definite conclusion). More complex narratives contain plot twists and surprises. Restricted narratives withhold information from audiences while unrestricted narratives assume what audiences know. Narrative theorists like Todorov, Levi-Strauss, and Barthes provide ways to analyze narratives, focusing on equilibrium shifts, binary oppositions, and interpretive codes, respectively. Propp's functions drive narratives through character types and narrative events.

1. NARRATIVE
THEORY
UNIT G325 - SECTION A –Q1B

2. INTRODUCTION TO NARRATIVE
Narrative explores the conventions of:
• Genre
• Character Includes information
not shown
• Form
The key events
• Time
Narrative = how is the story told? (as events unfold)

3. NARRATIVE STRUCTURE
Linear Structure:
Beginning Middle End
(Audience introduced to (Events –story builds) (Closure)
characters and story)
Circular Structure:
The narrative begins at the end (or middle of events ) often
beginning with the climax. The audience are taking on a
journey arriving back where they started. (e.g. Pulp fiction)
Open Structure:
The audience are left to wonder what happens next and make sense of it
themselves (e.g. “Inception”)
?
Closed Structure:
Definite ending – clear conclusion for the audience !

4. COMPLEX NARRATIVE STRUCTURE
Today‟s narratives have become increasingly complex as producers know that
audiences have a greater sense of media literacy when it comes to making
meaning of the text and reading the signs. There are often numerous plot twists
and surprises that keep the audience intrigued with carefully spun storylines.
Films such as “Memento” (Nolan,2000) which weaves the story in reverse gives the
audience a similar experience to the protagonist who has short term memory
loss, as they try and fit the clues together through the use of restricted narrative.
Unrestricted Narrative: What the audience are assumed to know
e.g. In a thriller there will be a crime so they will be expecting it
Restricted Narrative: The information that is withheld from the audience
Now test your knowledge:
http://quizlet.com/4162490/narrative-theorists-flash-cards/

5. An Ellipsis
An ellipsis is a break in time –it would be difficult to show everything
that happens in a film in 'real-time‟.
Cutting out intervening time between shots:
Man gets out of bed, seen shaving, next scene eats breakfast, leaves
house. We understand time has been cut out of a morning routine.
-consider how narratives have been played with in recent years –
e.g. Pulp Fiction, (episodic scenes in a seemingly random order)
Memento (film that plays in reverse –reflecting the confusions of the
main character who has short-term loss)

6. NARRATIVE
PLOT
STORY
LINEAR
CIRCULAR
OPEN
CLOSED
RESTRICTED
UNRESTRICTED

7. “LIFE” QUESTIONS
How are we introduced to the main character?
What information do we learn about him?
How do we learn this information?
How many storylines are there (is there a subplot)?
What is the overall storyline or narrative?
Put the sequence of events into a chronological timeline
Does it follow Todorov‟s theory of narrative?
Is the structure linear or circular, open or closed?

8. There are many theorists who use theory to explain narrative structure.
We shall be studying four of them:
• Vladimir Propp
• Roland Barthes
• Tzvetan Todorov
• Claude Levi-Strauss
NARRATIVE THEORISTS
* You will only need to know two for your exam*

9. TODOROV
Todorov describes narrative as going from equilibrium to disequilibrium back to an
altered equilibrium

10. TODOROV
Equilibrium: (sets the scene)
Everyday Life
Disruption: (complication)
Something happens to alter the equilibrium
Conflict: (climax)
Trying to solve the problem (seek resolution)
Resolution:
Problem is sorted
New Equilibrium: (satisfactory end)
Back to normal (but never the same)- a new normal

11. LEVI-STRAUSS
Levi-Strauss describes narrative as created by constant conflict of binary opposites
Love – Hate Black – White Man – Nature
Light – Darkness Peace – War Protagonist –
Antagonist
Movement – Stillness Civilized – Savage Young – Old
Control – Panic Strong – Weak Man – Woman
Wealth – Poverty Mankind – Aliens Humans –
Technology
“Sat Wars” “Mr. & Mrs. Smith” “Avatar” “District 9”
Ignorance - Wisdom “The Searchers” “Slumdog Millionaire”
Can you match them?

12. BARTHES
Barthes describes narrative as a series of codes that are read and interpreted by
the audience

13. BARTHES CODES
Action Code: (proairetic code)
something the audience knows and doesn't need explaining e.g. someone being
wheeled out on a stretcher tells us they are going to hospital
Enigma Code: (hermeneutic code)
something hidden from the audience (creates intrigue)
Semic Code:
something that the audience recognize through connotations
Symbolic Code:
Something that symbolizes a more abstract concept e.g. a darker than usual room of
a murder scene could symbolize the depth of darkness and depravity
Cultural Code: (referential code)
Something that is read with understanding due to cultural awareness (e.g. youth
culture use certain words that are understood by that culture)

14. PROPP
Propp‟s theory of narrative is driven by the characters using a set of narrative
functions
Background: 1895 —1970 Vladimir Propp was a Russian scholar who analysed
Russian folk tales (fairy tales) by their narrative structure.
Often used in Hollywood or Disney Films (with a happy ever after)
He identifies 8 „types‟ of characters:
• Hero (protagonist) has a mission of quest to complete (e.g.Luke Skywalker)
• Villain (antagonist) tries to stop the hero (Darth Vader)
• Princess love interest and/or object of the quest (Princess Leia)
• Father person with knowledge (Leia)
• Dispatcher sends the hero off (Obi Wan)
• Donor gives the hero something to help him (Obi Wan)
• Sidekick the helper (not as handsome as hero) –poss. comic relief (C3P0+)
• False hero villain that pretends to be good in order to trick the hero

15. Propp's 31 narrative functions
In addition to the characters Propp he says that it is narratemes (i.e.
narrative functions)-events that drive the narrative forward:
1. Family member leaves home -Hero introduced
2. Hero given a warning (e.g. not to do something)
3. Hero ignores the warning
4. Villain appears (e.g. trying to find jewels / children etc.)
5. Villain gains information about the victim
6. Villain attempts to trick the victim (guise / trickery)
7. Victim/ Hero is fooled by the villain
8. Villain causes harm or injury
9. Misfortune or lack is made known to Hero
10. Hero decides on counter-action
11. Hero leaves home
12. Hero is tested by the Donor
13. Hero responds to the test
14. Hero acquires a magical agent
15. Location / hero change to the place of lack
16. Hero and Villain in direct combat
17. Hero is branded (wounded / scarred)
18. Villain is defeated (killed)
19. Lack is met -resolution
20. Hero goes back home
21. Hero is pursued
22. Hero is rescued
23. Unrecognised Hero arrives home / another country
24. False hero claims Hero‟s success
25. Difficult task is set
26. Hero resolves the task
27. True Hero now recognised
28. False hero exposed
29. Hero given transformation (new appearance e.g. new clothes)
30. Villain is punished
31. Hero marries and ascends the throne

16. THE EXAM
You will need to include media terminology
1. Give an introduction to what narrative is
2. Identify the types of narrative used in your Teaser Trailer (don’t forget to
include the TITLE)
3. Identify a theorist and explain their theory of narrative
4. Explain how your product supports or challenges the theory.
5. Now do the same again (2-4) with the real media text you
researched.
6. Compare it to what you wrote about your product in relation to
narrative

17. COMPARISON & CONTRAST WORDS
Similarly different to
unlike compared
to
In contrast whereas
on the one hand on the other
hand
Although however