When we think of how stories are structured we always think of it as the Beginning, Middle & End. There are 4 key narrative theorists the first being Tzvetan Todorov, his theory was that there are three parts to a narrative the first being an equilibrium where everything is normal until a disequilibrium disrupts the normalcy which could be broken down even further to 3 sections the first being there is a disruption, the second is recognition of the disruption and then an attempt to repair the disruption. Lastly there is a resolution equilibrium where the equilibrium is restored or there is a new one in place.
The second theorist is Vladimir Propp, he was interested in the patterns in nature and why it happens, he studied a lot of Russian folk tales and came to the conclusion that there are 31 functions and 8 character types in all stories.
The 8 character types include:
1. The Hero (Protagonist) - Usually the lead role, they usually have to fight evil or solve a mystery
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2. Sidekick/Helper - Helps the hero
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3. The Princess - Usually the prize or reward for the hero it could even be money
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4. The Villain (Antagonist) - Tries to stop the hero from accomplishing their super-objective
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5. The Donor - They provide the hero with something to help them complete the quest which could be a clue or special power.
6. The Princess' Father - An authoritative figure that offers the hero a reward for completing a quest which could be anything from a prince/princess to a new car
7. Dispatcher - The dispatcher is the one who sends the hero off on the quest in the first place
8. The False Hero - They try to take credit for the heroes actions or they might try to get the heroes reward.
Some characters may take on more than one role for example The Princess' Father could also be the Dispatcher in the story but all these character types are always present.
The third theorist is Claude Levi-Strauss, he examined how stories unconsciously reflect the values, beliefs and myths of a culture. Levi-Strauss' research was adapted by media to show the link between binary oppositions and films. Every movie has a contrast between two for example most movies are a battle between good and evil.
The fourth was Roland Barthes, he suggested that narratives work with 5 different codes which activate the reader to make sense of it.
Barthes 5 codes were
1. Action - The solution is usually produced through action for example there might be a fight which resolves an on going problem within the story.
2. Enigma - This is used a lot in trailers to teases the audience sometimes with little riddles or delays in the story lines that will only make sense as you watch or read the whole book or film.
3. Symbolic - All the connotations associated with the specific symbol.
4. Semantic - The denotations associated with the book.
5. Cultural - We recognize certain things as being apart of a certain culture. Costumes can be used to help identify a specific culture.
Syd Field is a screenwriter, considered as one of the greatest. Field suggested that there are 3 acts
1. Plot Point - something important happens within the first half hour
2. Then a Confrontation takes place, then there's a Mid Point where the main character is going through the lowest point in the movie and they seem to be on a downward slope
2.5. Things may seem a little hopeful and seem as though it is picking back up but it goes back down and it seems as though there is no hope left.
3. Then finally there is a Resolution and things get better.
Narratives tend to come in two forms Linear and Non-Linear.
Linear narratives are constructed in order of events whereas Non-Linear is constructed in the opposite way for instance it may start off with a flashback before going forward in time.
The second theorist is Vladimir Propp, he was interested in the patterns in nature and why it happens, he studied a lot of Russian folk tales and came to the conclusion that there are 31 functions and 8 character types in all stories.
The 8 character types include:
1. The Hero (Protagonist) - Usually the lead role, they usually have to fight evil or solve a mystery
2. Sidekick/Helper - Helps the hero
4. The Villain (Antagonist) - Tries to stop the hero from accomplishing their super-objective
7. Dispatcher - The dispatcher is the one who sends the hero off on the quest in the first place
8. The False Hero - They try to take credit for the heroes actions or they might try to get the heroes reward.
Some characters may take on more than one role for example The Princess' Father could also be the Dispatcher in the story but all these character types are always present.
The third theorist is Claude Levi-Strauss, he examined how stories unconsciously reflect the values, beliefs and myths of a culture. Levi-Strauss' research was adapted by media to show the link between binary oppositions and films. Every movie has a contrast between two for example most movies are a battle between good and evil.
The fourth was Roland Barthes, he suggested that narratives work with 5 different codes which activate the reader to make sense of it.
Barthes 5 codes were
1. Action - The solution is usually produced through action for example there might be a fight which resolves an on going problem within the story.
2. Enigma - This is used a lot in trailers to teases the audience sometimes with little riddles or delays in the story lines that will only make sense as you watch or read the whole book or film.
3. Symbolic - All the connotations associated with the specific symbol.
4. Semantic - The denotations associated with the book.
5. Cultural - We recognize certain things as being apart of a certain culture. Costumes can be used to help identify a specific culture.
Syd Field is a screenwriter, considered as one of the greatest. Field suggested that there are 3 acts
1. Plot Point - something important happens within the first half hour
2. Then a Confrontation takes place, then there's a Mid Point where the main character is going through the lowest point in the movie and they seem to be on a downward slope
2.5. Things may seem a little hopeful and seem as though it is picking back up but it goes back down and it seems as though there is no hope left.
3. Then finally there is a Resolution and things get better.
Narratives tend to come in two forms Linear and Non-Linear.
Linear narratives are constructed in order of events whereas Non-Linear is constructed in the opposite way for instance it may start off with a flashback before going forward in time.
- In class we worked in pairs to create a three part narrative using jelly babies
In our three part narrative it starts out as a normal day in the park, there are a group of boys at the park and a couple sitting together at a park bench talking.
The dynamics change when the boys plan to rob the couple and threaten to stab them if they don't give them their money.
The problem is solved when the man in the relationship fights the group of boys off.
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