Narrative theorists

Tzvetan Todorov

Todorov suggests that all narratives follow a structure of 3 parts

This begins with the equilibrium where everything is balanced and in order, this is usually the beginning of a narrative, where a problem is yet to occur 

Secondly there is the disequilibrium, this is where a problem disturbs the balance and must be put right, this will be what a narrative focuses on 

Finally the balance is restored and order is brought back, the structure is now complete as it has returned to an equilibrium state 

This formula can be applied to virtually all narratives, it is a smiple way of approaching the beginning middle and end of a narrative



Vladimir Propp 

After studying Russian folk tales Vladimir Propp came up with a theory that are only a certain number of characters who come up in most narratives, the normal generic characters are the Hero and the Villain, but others also appear:

Protagonist (Hero) - Leads the narrative, is usually looking for some thing or is sent on a quest, or sometimes trying to solve a mystery. (does not have to be male, but in most cases is)
Antagonist (villain) - Gets in the protagonists way, tries to stop him/he on whatever they are trying to do 
Heroine - Is usually some sort of prize or reward the the protagonist
Father - An authority figure who offers a reward to the protagonist their quest, that reward might be your typical 'princess' figure or something that the protagonist really wants 
Helper - Helps the protagonists, this character will usually go alongside the protagonist is usually not as  important 
Donor - Gives the protagonist something to aid them on their quest/mission, could be a clue, talisman, special power
Mentor - Teaches and guides the protagonist, gives him information and knowledge about his journey

These characters and their roles can be seen in a lot of narratives, we expect to see them in the narratives 


Claude Levi-Srauss

Levi-Strauss said that all narratives had to be driven forward by conflict caused by a series of opposing forces, calling this theory binary opposites, saying that all the main forces in narratives have there equals and opposites

Good/Evil
Light/Dark
Noise/Silence 
Youth/Aged
Right/Wrong
Poverty/Wealth
Strength/Weakness
Inside/Outside
Happy/Sad 
Old/New 

Some sort of opposites with come into conflict in a narrative until some sort of resolution and balance is achieved 


Roland Barthes

Open or closed narratives 

Open - Unravelled in lots of different ways (e.g. Inception)
Closed - one obvious ending (e.g. Die Hard) 

Barthes also believes symbols and signs and cultural references help the audience to identify with a narrative and thus help propel it forward 

E.g if a gun is shown on screen, no one in the audience needs to be told that a gun is dangerous, because of the culture that surrounds, you already know that guns kills