Narrative Theorists

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TZVETAN TODOROVTZVETAN TODOROV

Todorov Narrative Theory

Todorov has a fairly unique theory, about how a narrative should go to keep an audience engaged

1) Everything should appear normal and calm (Equlibrium)

2) Something should disrupt the calm (Disequilibrium) 3) A new Equlibrium happens after the Disequilibrium

has blown over (Equilibrium)

Todorov

Once this basic principle is in place – Todorov says you should carry out 5 steps to ensure the Disequilibrium is functional

1) Equilibrium clearly shown to audience 2) Disruption of this made clear 3) Recognition of disruption 4) An attempt to repair the disequlibrium 5) Return to normality

Todorov’s Legacy

Todorov’s theory has been carried out in many medias, often multiple times with different storylines.

It is an example of a circular narrative Todorov has gone on to say that his narrative

theory provides basis for characters to change as a result of the disequilibriums faced by them

Challenging Todorov

Although I can see visible clarity in Todorov’s theory and realise where it is used in modern films, I find it perhaps too imperative to follow completely

If I choose to subvert a genre slightly, it may be hard to follow this complete – though well thought out pattern

Perhaps my narrative could be based in a post Todorov storyline, the disequibrilium has already happened, or maybe it’s in the process of happening.

Essentially, I don’t want to be told I must follow Todorov’s set narrative guidelines.

Claude Levi-StraussClaude Levi-Strauss

Levi-Strauss’ Narrative Theory

Unlike Todorov, Strauss didn’t believe you always had to follow a pattern.

Strauss was more interested in how themes can help portrayals to an audience.

For Strauss, it is far more important to show conflict, and binary oppositions in films to engage audience and represent characters, than to follow narrative guidelines

Examples

Good vs Evil, Light vs Dark, Male vs Female, Conformers vs Nonformers

Highlighting good and evil in characters for example, helps show deeper understanding towards the narrative. Understanding why somebody is acting evil can engage an audience more.

Thoughts of Levi-Strauss’ Theory

I really like this theory, and admire it more than Todorov’s.

I feel that through characters, showing their motives and emotions, most easily through oppositions is a way of combining character and audience to help push my narrative across.