Narrative Theories

Theory 1: Bordwell - 

• David Bordwell outlines a formalist approach to narrative based on the distinction between story and plot 
• Story is a sequence of events in chronological order
• the plot is a sequence of events in the order that the viewer experiences them 
• according to Bordwell all films function using a cause and effect chain of events
• Cause —> effect —> cause of another effect —> cause of another effect —> cause of another effect 
• film makers can make narratives more mysterious or suspenseful by altering the plot from the story 
• They will do so by either withholding a cause or an effect 
• Story does equal plot —> linear 
• Story does not equal plot  —> non linear 
• Narration is the information flow between story and plot 
• a linear narrative holds no information back from the viewer 
• it is the therefore unrestricted 
• linear narrative = unrestricted narration 
• non linear narrative = restricted narration

Theory 2: Todorov - 

• Todorov, a famous narratologist, argued that all stories share a similar structure, based around the concept of balance/equilibrium 
• equilibrium —> significant event —> recognition of distribution —> attempt to repair —> new equilibrium 

Equilibrium: 

• state of a balance at beginning of a story “once upon a time” 
• into of the characters and the narrative world “the way things are” 
• can be good or bad 

Significant event: 

• an event that occurs that disrupts the equilibrium for the protagonist ~ the balance is thrown 
• Jaws —> shark

Recognition by hero: 

• protagonist realises disruption occurs and the likely consequences 
• wants to restore initial eq

Attempt to repair: 

• protagonist seeks to restore eq by undertaking a series of tasks/obstacles 

New eq:

• equilibrium is restored but it is different to initial eq, usually better

Theory 3: Propp - 

• Propp, in the early 20th century studied hundreds of traditional folk tails from across Europe to establish what he called character types. For Propp, types each fulfilled a specific function 
• the most useful types to know are: 
• ~ hero: drives the narrative forward (may not be heroic) - Harry Potter / Ralph
• ~ villain: creates obstacle for hero - Voldemort / King Candy
• ~ dispatcher: sends hero on quest - Dumbledore / Fix it Felix 
• ~ the donor: gives hero a special object or wisdom to enable complete quest - Hagrid / Sargent 
• ~ the princess: reward for hero at narrative resolution - Voldemort dies and he doesn't / That     venelope wins the race to leave the game
• ~ side kick: companion for hero - Hermione and Ron / Penelope

Theory 4: Levi-Strauss - 

• Claude Levi Strauss argues that within every narrative are “binary oppositions” that reflect the culture from which they emerge
• Binary oppositions are neutral oppositions (without value) that are loaded positivity or negatively in a way in a way that reflects a cultures dormant ideology 
• young <—> old
• tall <—> short 
• thin <—> fat 
• pretty <—> ugly 
• rich <—> poor
• able bodies <—> disabled 
• smart <—> stupid 
• happy <—> successful

Theory 5: Pam Cooke - 

• Pan cock argued that films contained their own kids of narrative 
• filmic/cinematic narratives are defined by: clear, goal orientated characteristics, a cause and a effect narrative trajectory, enigma resolution, high degree of narrative closure 
• Clear set of goals