Todorov's narrative theory proposes that stories follow a pattern of equilibrium, disruption, recognition, attempt to repair disruption, and a return to either the original or a new equilibrium. This pattern is demonstrated in a scenario where the calm atmosphere of a bar is disrupted when a customer realizes another woman has entered for a blind date, causing tension. The customer then recognizes the problem and approaches the other woman to confront her, in an attempt to resolve the issue. Their conversation leads to the realization it was a misunderstanding, restoring the original calm atmosphere of the bar.

1. Narrative Theory

2. Tzvetan Todorov’s Narrative Theory
• Todorov suggested that every story started
balanced beginning, then disrupted which is a
disequilibrium. Later, the main character
attempts to fix the disequilibrium to return to
a balance story (equilibrium). This is just an
interpretation of the world of fiction. This is
not always the case with film but just one
theory of many.

3. Todorov’s Theory
Todorov explains his theory to be split up into five
stages which constructs these narratives;
• A state of equilibrium
• Some soft of problem disrupts this equilibrium
• The character acknowledges this disruption
• The attempt to fix the problem
• The return of equilibrium or new equilibrium
These narrative stages are most common to us as
we frequently see these in everyday films.

4. Equilibrium
• This is ideally the start of the film, where there
is no problem and a calm ambience.
• In our film, Equilibrium is when the bartender
has just opened the bar and is just cleaning up
the final few bits. This shows a calm
atmosphere with no problems or disruptions
occurring.

5. Disruption
• Disruption is when something or someone has
obstructed the calm ambience and the peace in
the atmosphere.
• In our film, the disequilibrium occurs when Joe
(the first female) realises that the second female
(Sam) has entered the bar which could be a
problem. This causes friction between the two
applied by Joe as she is not happy about the
situation. This builds up tension in the bar and
may go all wrong.

6. Recognition
• This is when the character realises that there
is a problem/disruption.
• The recognition is when Joe, the angry
customer, realises that Sam is also there to
visit a blind date. This is when tension is built
to the maximum level before somebody is
approached. At this moment, Sam also
realises that Joe is onto her. This causes Sam
to feel uncomfortable.

7. Attempt to repair disrution
• This is when the character tries to handle the
situation and find a solution for it.
• Joe, decides to approach Sam in order to find
out what is happening. This confrontation may
lead in two ways, good or bad. This is how Joe
decides to take matters into her own hands
rather then mind her own business.

8. Equilibrium
• Equilibrium is the part of the narrative were
everything from the start is restored with no
commotion.
• This is the part of the production when both
characters finally come to the conclusion after a
conversation that there was a misunderstanding.
The two characters where each others blind dates
and they both has nothing to worry about, this
leads to all the tension that was built gone to a
waste.