Narrative theory GCSE Outcomes- By the end of the lesson I will understand narrative structure in Media.

What is narrative?  If we wanted to understand narrative, what questions might we ask?

Narrative  In media terms, narrative is the coherence/organisation given to a series of facts.  We connect events and make interpretations based on those connections.  In everything we seek a beginning, a middle and an end.

Narrative  Watch the following video- What is the narrative?  9mxV9g&ob=av2e 9mxV9g&ob=av2e 9mxV9g&ob=av2e

What is a narrative and what is a story?  Story is the substance of a story (A meets B, something happens, order returns).  Narrative is the way that the story is related (Once upon a time)  Therefore, what was the narrative structure of the video?

Narrative in Media  Narrative doesn’t just appear in film as you have just seen  Films  Music videos  Soap operas  photos

Todorov  5 stages of narrative  What do you think the five stages would be?

Stage 1- Equilibrium  This is where everything is fine in the world of the film  Main characters and settings are introduced to the audience. We get a sense of the characters world 

Stage 2- Disruption of events  Sometimes only the audience will be aware of the events which disrupt the equilibrium.  The main characters will have not yet discovered what is to come.  4yn-Ps 4yn-Ps 4yn-Ps

Stage 3- Recognition of disruption  This is when the key characters recognise the disruption that has taken place. They learn what the audience may have known for a long time.  M-20kk&feature=related M-20kk&feature=related M-20kk&feature=related

Attempt to repair the disruption  This is the longest part of the film where the main characters try to rectify any mistakes or problems 

New equilibrium  Things are resolved and a new equilibrium is created.  Things are different to the original equilibrium.

GenreEquilibriumDisruption Recognition of disruption New equilibrium Romance Horror Action Sci fi comedy

Subverting the narrative structure.  Can you think of any films that go against the narrative structure?

Starting with a disruption  b1_GQ&feature=related b1_GQ&feature=related b1_GQ&feature=related  The film starts with the disruption  What do you think is the impact on the audience?

Narrative structure  Flash backs  Flash forwards  Linear narrative (follows a chronological order)  Non linear narrative (Doesn’t follow a time line)  Open narrative  Closed narrative

Another way to consider narrative structure: Generic structure 1.Opening 2.Build Up 3.Problem 4.Events 5.Resolution 6.End

Task  Using a film you know well, identify the 5 stages of narrative that Todorov discusses  Due Friday

Propps character types  Propp suggested that all stories have 8 character types and that there were only 31 things that they ever really do.  In pairs write down as many character types as you can think of

Character types Descriptionsexamples The villain Struggles against the hero. May not be a person The donor Prepares the hero or gives the hero some magical object The helper (magical) Helps the hero in his quest

The father of the princess Propp suggested it was hard to distinguish the princess and father character The hero- Reacts to the donor, weds the princess False hero Takes credit for the hero’s actions or tries to marry the princess

CharacterActionsexample The princess or the prize Gives the task to the hero, identifies the false hero, often fought for during the narrative The dispatcher Makes the issues known to the hero and sends the hero off on his quest

Task  In a film you know well, identify Propps character types  Be prepared to shared with the class

Binary oppositions- Claude Levi Strauss  Oppositional characters- Good/ evil  On a simple note based on opposition or conflict.  However the binary oppositions could represent ideologies which are ideas that we have in society

Binary oppositions  Male  Humanity  Nature  Dirt  East  Bad  Female  Technology  Industrialisation  Cleanliness  West  Good