Todorov’s narrative theory

-All media texts tell us some kind of story and the term narrative is the way this process of telling stories is organised, how stories are structured and then potentially decoded or understood.-Narrative has two parts:• Structure• Elements

NARRATIVE THEORY AND CODES

• The structure of narrative is where Todorov’s theory comes into play.

• His theory states that there are five stages to every film, the five stages are:

1. A state of equilibrium.2. Disruption of that order by an event.3. Recognition that the disorder has occurred.4. Attempt to repair the damage done.5. A return or restoration of a new equilibrium.

STRUCTURE OF NARRATIVE

1.A state of equilibrium

2.Disruption of that order by an event.

3.Recognition that disorder has occurred.

4.Attempt to repair the damage done.

5.A return or restoration of a new equilibrium.

1. State of equilibrium:Family move into a hotel for dad’s business career.2. Disruption by event:Child hears voices and sees ghosts and the mum sees that the father has done

no work apart from writing “all work and no play makes Johnny a dull boy”3. Recognition of disruption: Father tries to kill wife and son.4. Attempt to repair damage:Try to escape the terror.5. A return or reformation of a new equilibrium:Wife and son get in a truck and drive away and escapes and live happily

together.

APPLY IT TO A FILM……(THE SHINNING)

Homework for this theory

• Apply this theory to a film of your choice.

• Write up on your blog as an entry rather than as a presentation/powerpoint/preszi.