Todorov was born in 1939 in Sofia, Bulgaria and is considered one of the most influential philosophers and literary structuralists. He described the typical narrative structure as having five parts: 1) an initial state of equilibrium, 2) a disruption to the order, 3) recognition of the disorder, 4) an attempt to repair the damage, and 5) a new state of equilibrium. The document then provides an example of this structure being applied to the plot of a murder mystery film.

1. Daniel Brown

2. Todorov was born in 1939 in Sofia, Bulgaria. He is
considered as one of the most influential
philosophers and literary structuralist.
Daniel Brown

3. 1. A state of equilibrium
2. A disruption of that order by an event
3. A recognition of the disorder
4. An attempt to repair the damage
5. A state of new equilibrium
Daniel Brown

4. EQUILIBRIUM
This is when there is normality at the
start of the narrative, this is typically
reflected in the sound and lighting to
create a sense of calmness and normality.
Daniel Brown

5. DISRUPTION
Disruption is caused when there is
something that happens such as a
crime, death or natural disaster.
Daniel Brown

6. RECOGNITION
The characters realise the disruption
to the equilibrium.
Daniel Brown

7. REPAIR
The repair occurs when the
disruption is either being stopped,
controlled or prevented.
Daniel Brown

8. NEW EQUILIBRIUM
The equilibrium is restored once the
repair has occurred. This is
conventionally near the end of the
film where normality is restored.
Daniel Brown

9. 1. A state of equilibrium: A woman steals money from her
job at a bank and then escapes to a hotel.
2. A disruption to the equilibrium: The woman gets
murdered by an unknown person whilst in the shower
at the hotel.
3. Recognition that the disruption has occurred: The
victim’s sister and the police find out she is missing and
visit the hotel.
4. An attempt to repair the damage: The sister and the
police find that the hotel owner’s mother is a suspect
and search for evidence at the hotel owner’s house. They
then catch the hotel owner (Norman Bates) dressed as
his mother. The police then realise his mother has been
dead for years.
5. Return to a new equilibrium: The police arrest Bates
and the hotel is now safe.
Daniel Brown