Todorov's narrative theory proposes that stories follow 5 stages: equilibrium, disequilibrium, recognition of disequilibrium, attempt to repair damage, and new equilibrium. The document applies this theory to analyze the storyline of a music video about domestic violence. It describes how each stage is depicted, showing the normalization of violence initially and a new equilibrium where the victim gets help. However, the theory may not always apply to music videos given their different aims compared to films - videos emphasize impact over narrative.

1. What is the storyline?
Applying Todorov’s theory.
By Masie Thumwood.

2. Todorov:
• Todorov in 1969 produced a theory which he believed to be able to be applied to
any narrative. He believed that all films followed the same narrative pattern. They
all went through stages called the equilibrium, disequilibrium, acknowledgement,
solving and again equilibrium. There are five stages the narrative can progress
through:
1. Equilibrium
The story always starts with an equilibrium. The "Equilibrium" is the everyday
norm which a person or people's lives follows. This is the first stage of the theory.
2. Disequilibrium
The second stage of the theory is the disruption of the equilibrium. Therefore
this means the main protagonists discover there is a problem that needs fixing.
3. Recognition of the Disequilibrium
The third stage of the theory is the recognition of the interruption of the
Equilibrium. Therefore this means the main protagonists discover there is
a problem that needs fixing.
4. An attempt to repair the damage of the disruption.
The fourth stage is where there is an attempt to resolve the problem by the
protagonist and to repair the situation they face. The main 'action' will take place
at this point in the narrative.
5. A return or restoration of a NEW equilibrium
The final stage is when there is either a resolve in the disequilibrium and we then
go back to the old equilibrium or there is a new equilibrium.

3. Our storyline with Todorov:
1. Equilibrium
- The victim, on the split screen, walk into the
normal household and then sigh as the walk
in. This shows that the victim is used to the
crime and the norm that these people follow.
By doing this, we show that domestic
violence is classed as the norm in
relationships, when infact it should not be.

4. 2. Disequilibrium
- The disruption that there is a problem, being
that the perpetrator is going to get violent,
and therefore this is the problem that needs
fixing, or we make the audience believe it
should be fixed.

5. 3. Recognition of the Disequilibrium:
- The victim of domestic violence realises that
the situation is wrong, they should stop the
situation and try or feel they should stop. This
is shown through the victims getting
emotional in the video along with trying to
fight back.

6. 4. An attempt to repair the damage of the
disruption.
- There is then an attempt to resolve the
problem. This is done by the fighting back of
the situation along with what they seem to be
resolving the problem by covering the physical
damage.

7. 5. A return or respiration of a new Equilibrium.
- In our video this shows the end to one side of
the equilibrium and the start to another. This
is due to the female victim having a friend that
calls the police and help her, the new
Equilibrium being that the male victim has
friends laughing at him. Having to deal with
these and not dealing with the violence
proposes a new problem. This shows to the
audience that violence should be stopped for
both female and male victims, but due to the
rising and high statistics of male victims and
no support, there should be an increase in
support along with the recognition of the
problem that needs to be stopped.

8. Problems with Todorov’s theory:
Although the storyline of our music video follows
the rough guidelines of Todorov’s five stage
theory, it does not apply to all videos. The theory
is applied to narratives of films, and not all music
videos have narratives, they can be illustrative of
abstact, a sentence of images which produce a
message in a short amount of time. The video is
all about impact and not intrigue, therefore, not
all music videos follow the theory. The narrative
is not necessary as a music video is to promote a
product, unlike a film. This shows that the theory
is not always applied to both film and music as
they have different aims.