Tzvetan Todorov is a historian and essayist who developed a theory of narrative structure. He proposed that narratives follow a circular pattern of equilibrium, disruption, and new equilibrium. Specifically, they begin with an initial stable state, experience some event that disturbs the order, and conclude after the disruption has been addressed and a new stable state restored, with the characters or situation transformed. According to Todorov, the middle portion can depict actions outside of social norms, and some stories involve multiple disruptions before achieving resolution.

1. Narrative Theory
Todorov

2. Tzvetan Todorov
Tzvetan Todorov is a Franco-
Bulgarian historian and essayist
who was born in 1939

3. Todorov’s Narrative Theory
Todorov simplified the idea of
narrative theory while also
allowing a more complex
interpretation of film texts with
his theory of Equilibrium and
Disequilibrium.

4. The fictional environment begins
with a state of equilibrium
(everything is as it should be in a state of
equal balance between powers of any
kind, where equality of importance or
effect exists among the various parts of
any complex unity).
Todorov’s Narrative Theory

5. The fictional environment then
suffers some disruption or
disequilibrium.
Todorov’s Narrative Theory

6. The narrative then ends with a
state of new equilibrium.
Todorov’s Narrative Theory

7. There are five stages the narrative can progress
through:
• A state of equilibrium - all is as it should be.
Todorov’s Narrative Theory

8. There are five stages the narrative can progress
through:
• A state of equilibrium - all is as it should be.
• Something happens to disrupt that order.
Todorov’s Narrative Theory

9. There are five stages the narrative can progress
through:
• A state of equilibrium - all is as it should be.
• Something happens to disrupt that order
• Recognition that the disorder has occurred.
Todorov’s Narrative Theory

10. There are five stages the narrative can progress
through:
• A state of equilibrium - all is as it should be.
• Something happens to disrupt that order
• Recognition that the disorder has occurred.
• There is an attempt to repair the damage of
the disruption.
Todorov’s Narrative Theory

11. There are five stages the narrative can progress
through:
• A state of equilibrium - all is as it should be.
• Something happens to disrupt that order
• Recognition that the disorder has occurred.
• There is an attempt to repair the damage of
the disruption.
• There is a restoration of a new equilibrium.
Todorov’s Narrative Theory

12. The five stages the narrative can progress
through:
• A state of equilibrium - all is as it should be.
• Something happens to disrupt that order
• Recognition that the disorder has occurred.
• There is an attempt to repair the damage of
the disruption.
• There is a restoration of a new equilibrium.
Todorov’s Narrative Theory

13. In these stages, the narrative is not seen as a
linear structure but a circular one.
Todorov’s Narrative Theory

14. In these stages, narrative is not seen as a linear
structure but a circular one.
The narrative is driven by attempts to restore
the equilibrium.
Todorov’s Narrative Theory

15. In these stages, narrative is not seen as a linear
structure but a circular one.
The narrative is driven by attempts to restore
the equilibrium.
However, the equilibrium at the end of the
story is not identical to the initial equilibrium.
Todorov’s Narrative Theory

16. Todorov argues that narrative
involves a transformation
Todorov’s Narrative Theory

17. The characters or the situations
are transformed through the
progress of the disruption.
Todorov’s Narrative Theory

18. The disruption itself usually takes
place outside the normal social
framework, outside ‘normal’ social
events
Todorov’s Narrative Theory

19. In summary:
• Narratives don’t need to be linear.
Todorov’s Narrative Theory

20. In summary:
• Narratives don’t need to be linear.
• The progression from initial equilibrium to
restoration always involves a transformation.
Todorov’s Narrative Theory

21. In summary:
• Narratives don’t need to be linear.
• The progression from initial equilibrium to
restoration always involves a transformation.
• The middle period of a narrative can depict
actions that transgress everyday habits and
routines.
Todorov’s Narrative Theory

22. In summary:
• Narratives don’t need to be linear.
• The progression from initial equilibrium to
restoration always involves a transformation.
• The middle period of a narrative can depict
actions that transgress everyday habits and
routines.
• There can be many disruptions whilst seeking a
new equilibrium (horror relies on this
technique).
Todorov’s Narrative Theory

23. In summary:
• Narratives don’t need to be linear.
• The progression from initial equilibrium to
restoration always involves a transformation.
• The middle period of a narrative can depict
actions that transgress everyday habits and
routines.
• There can be many disruptions whilst seeking a
new equilibrium (horror relies on this
technique).
Todorov’s Narrative Theory

24. The End
Todorov’s Narrative Theory