Understanding Narrative

Learning Objectives To understand a variety of narrative theories. To gain understanding of how to apply these narratives to different media texts.

What is narrative? The telling of a plot or story. In a media text, narrative is the coherent sequencing of events across time and space.

Todorov’s Narrative Theory Equilibrium Disruption of equilibrium Recognition of this disruption An attempt to repair the equilibrium is made Equilibrium is restored OR a new equilibrium is established

Propp’s Narrative Theory Hero: Individual(s) who's quest is to restore the equilibrium. Villain: Individual(s) who's task is to disrupt the equilibrium. Donor: Individual(s) who gives the hero(s) something, advice, information or an object. Helper: Individual(s) who aids the hero(s) with their set task. Princess (Prince): Individual(s) which need help, protecting and saving. The King: Who rewards the hero. Dispatcher: Individual(s) who send the hero(s) on their quest. False Hero: Individual(s) who set out to undermine the hero's quest by pretending to aid them. Often unmasked at the end of the film.

Levi-Strauss: Binary Oppositions Argued that meaning in narrative is based upon binary oppositions. He observed that all narratives are organised around the conflict between such binary opposites. Good Vs Evil Human Vs Nature Black Vs White Protagonist Vs Antagonist Humanity Vs Technology Man Vs Woman Human Vs Alien

Roland Barthes: Engigma Code Refers to any element of the story that is not fully explained and hence becomes a mystery to the reader. The purpose of the author in this is typically to keep the audience guessing, arresting the enigma, until the final scenes when all is revealed and all loose ends are tied off and closure is achieved.

Task 1 You must try and apply one or more narrative theories to the following media texts.

Music Videos NaS: Be a Ni***r Too Lady Gaga & Beyonce: Telephone The Prodigy: Smack My Bi**h Up Beyonce: If I Were A Boy Vampire Weekend: … Bob Marley: One Love

Film Trailers Shutter Island Orphan Death At A Funeral He’s Just Not That Into You Precious 4321

Magazine Covers and Posters The Source Q Empire Total Film The Unborn Mean Girls Precious Death at a Funeral What genre is this? What are the signifying elements that we read? What narrative applies? How do we know this? What kind of story to we get from the image(s)? Who is the main focus?

Contradicting tagline gives indication of genre Varied facial expressions both give an indication of genre and could link to Propp’s characters theory as you can link to particular characteristics i.e. Hero or Villain. Casket indicates basis of narrative and inks to the disruption of the equilibrium, the act that cast members are sitting on the casket indicates that a number of disruptions will happen within the narrative.

Butterfly: gives an indication of change, growth, development, progression. Transformation > from the ‘ugly’ to the ‘beautiful’ caterpillar > butterfly. This straight away links to Todorov, as we get the indication of disequilibrium > new equilibrium. Crown > new equilibrium, change development royal, precious… Her facial expression, links to Todorov again as we get an indication of ‘disequilibrium’ here. This also indicates the genre as either drama or social realist. Realism indicated through her expression of hardship. Costume: Which contrasts with the butterfly wings and crown which again links to the disequilibrium and the genre (drama, social realist).

The use of red has connotations of danger, passion etc Also link with Propp in relation to characters and could be associated as villain… Eyes closed gives an indication of being unsure, apprehension linking to Roland Barthes Enigma code. Violence and guns are often associated with both rap/hip hop and black culture. This links to Barthes again as you are unaware if he will shoot. Costume gives an indication of audiences preconceptions linking with the tattoos and ‘wife beater’ vest, which would indicate his actions as inevitable due to the moral panic of the genre. Which would then link to Todorov’s new equilibrium.

What have we learned? What is Propp’s theory? How could we apply Propp to one of the media texts? What is Todorov’s Theory? How could we apply it to one of the film trailers? What is Roland Barthes Theory? How would we apply this to one of the media texts?