Todorov's Theory outlines five stages of narrative structure according to Tzvetan Todorov: 1) Equilibrium, where the main character's life is normal and balanced; 2) Disruption, where a problem disrupts the main character's equilibrium; 3) Recognition, where the main character realizes their situation has changed for the worse; 4) Repair, where the main character works to repair the situation and restore equilibrium; 5) New Equilibrium, where the character gains a new equilibrium through their experience and their life is now better than before. The theory is demonstrated through a summary of the plot of the book "Holes" by Louis Sachar.

1. Todorov's Theory
By: Angel Martinez

2. Tzvetan Todorov believes that every narrative has the same five stages to
it, based around the main character.
Life is just right…
Here, the main character’s life is
balanced and
normal. There have been no
disruptions to the main character’s
life…yet.
Equilibrium
HOLES by LOUIS SACHAR: Stanley lives a normal school-boy life
America, where his inventor dad tries (and usually fails) to invent new
items. He lacks confidence and true friends.

3. Tzvetan Todorov believes that every narrative has the same five stages to
it, based around the main character.
A problem disrupts…
The main character’s life has
suddenly been disrupted, shattering
their previous equilibrium.
Disruption
HOLES by LOUIS SACHAR: Stanley lives a normal school-boy life
America, where his inventor dad tries (and usually fails) to invent new
items. He lacks confidence and true friends.

4. Tzvetan Todorov believes that every narrative has the same five stages to
it, based around the main character.
The main character realizes…
The main character now begins
to realize that their situation has
changed – and not for the better.
Recognition
HOLES by LOUIS SACHAR: Stanley lives a normal school-boy life
America, where his inventor dad tries (and usually fails) to invent new
items. He lacks confidence and true friends.

5. Tzvetan Todorov believes that every narrative has the same five stages to
it, based around the main character.
Repairing the situation begins…
The main character now sets out to ‘right
the wrongs’ and repair their situation, so
that life can be as good as it was
originally (equilibrium).
Repair
HOLES by LOUIS SACHAR: Stanley lives a normal school-boy life
America, where his inventor dad tries (and usually fails) to invent new
items. He lacks confidence and true friends.

6. Tzvetan Todorov believes that every narrative has the same five stages to
it, based around the main character.
The character has gained a NEW
equilibrium …
The main character has worked through
the problems and as a result, have gained
back their equilibrium. However –
they have grown from their experience.
Life is now BETTER than it was at the
beginning of the narrative.
New
Equilibrium
HOLES by LOUIS SACHAR: Stanley lives a normal school-boy life
America, where his inventor dad tries (and usually fails) to invent new
items. He lacks confidence and true friends.