Narrative theory

Introduction to narrative Narrative explores the conventions of: Genre Character Form Time Includes information not shown story plot The key events Narrative = how is the story told? (as events unfold)

Narrative structure ? ! Linear Structure: Circular Structure: Beginning Middle End (Audience introduced to (Events –story builds) (Closure) characters and story) Circular Structure: The narrative begins at the end (or middle of events ) often beginning with the climax. The audience are taking on a journey arriving back where they started. (e.g. Pulp fiction) Open Structure: The audience are left to wonder what happens next and make sense of it themselves (e.g. “Inception”) Closed Structure: Definite ending – clear conclusion for the audience ? !

Complex narrative structure Today’s narratives have become increasingly complex as producers know that audiences have a greater sense of media literacy when it comes to making meaning of the text and reading the signs. There are often numerous plot twists and surprises that keep the audience intrigued with carefully spun storylines. Films such as “Memento” (Nolan,2000) which weaves the story in reverse gives the audience a similar experience to the protagonist who has short term memory loss, as they try and fit the clues together through the use of restricted narrative. Unrestricted Narrative: What the audience are assumed to know e.g. In a thriller there will be a crime so they will be expecting it Restricted Narrative: The information that is withheld from the audience Now test your knowledge: http://quizlet.com/4162490/narrative-theorists-flash-cards/

An Ellipsis An ellipsis is a break in time –it would be difficult to show everything that happens in a film in 'real-time’. Cutting out intervening time between shots: Man gets out of bed, seen shaving, next scene eats breakfast, leaves house. We understand time has been cut out of a morning routine. -consider how narratives have been played with in recent years – e.g. Pulp Fiction, (episodic scenes in a seemingly random order) Memento (film that plays in reverse –reflecting the confusions of the main character who has short-term loss)

Narrative Plot Story Linear Circular Open Closed Restricted Unrestricted

“Life” questions How are we introduced to the main character? What information do we learn about him? How do we learn this information? How many storylines are there (is there a subplot)? What is the overall storyline or narrative? Put the sequence of events into a chronological timeline Does it follow Todorov’s theory of narrative? Is the structure linear or circular, open or closed?

Narrative theorists Vladimir Propp Roland Barthes Tzvetan Todorov There are many theorists who use theory to explain narrative structure. We shall be studying four of them: Vladimir Propp Roland Barthes Tzvetan Todorov Claude Levi-Strauss Narrative theorists *

TODOROV Equilibrium Disruption Conflict Resolution New Equilibrium Todorov describes narrative as going from equilibrium to disequilibrium back to an altered equilibrium Equilibrium Disruption Conflict Resolution New Equilibrium

TODOROV Equilibrium: (sets the scene) Everyday Life Disruption: (complication) Something happens to alter the equilibrium Conflict: (climax) Trying to solve the problem (seek resolution) Resolution: Problem is sorted New Equilibrium: (satisfactory end) Back to normal (but never the same)- a new normal

LEVI-STRAUSS Levi-Strauss describes narrative as created by constant conflict of binary opposites Love – Hate Black – White Man – Nature Light – Darkness Peace – War Protagonist –Antagonist Movement – Stillness Civilized – Savage Young – Old Control – Panic Strong – Weak Man – Woman Wealth – Poverty Mankind – Aliens Humans – Technology Ignorance - Wisdom “Sat Wars” “Mr. & Mrs. Smith” “Avatar” “District 9” “The Searchers” “Slumdog Millionaire” Can you match them?

Barthes Action Code Enigma Code Semic Code Symbolic Code Barthes describes narrative as a series of codes that are read and interpreted by the audience Action Code Enigma Code Semic Code Symbolic Code Referential Code

Barthes Codes Action Code: (proairetic code) something the audience knows and doesn't need explaining e.g. someone being wheeled out on a stretcher tells us they are going to hospital Enigma Code: (hermeneutic code) something hidden from the audience (creates intrigue) Semic Code: something that the audience recognize through connotations Symbolic Code: Something that symbolizes a more abstract concept e.g. a darker than usual room of a murder scene could symbolize the depth of darkness and depravity Cultural Code: (referential code) Something that is read with understanding due to cultural awareness (e.g. youth culture use certain words that are understood by that culture)

PROPP Propp’s theory of narrative is driven by the characters using a set of narrative functions Background: 1895 —1970 Vladimir Propp was a Russian scholar who analysed Russian folk tales (fairy tales) by their narrative structure. Often used in Hollywood or Disney Films (with a happy ever after) He identifies 8 ‘types’ of characters: Hero (protagonist) has a mission of quest to complete (e.g.Luke Skywalker) Villain (antagonist) tries to stop the hero (Darth Vader) Princess love interest and/or object of the quest (Princess Leia) Father person with knowledge (Leia) Dispatcher sends the hero off (Obi Wan) Donor gives the hero something to help him (Obi Wan) Sidekick the helper (not as handsome as hero) –poss. comic relief (C3P0+) False hero villain that pretends to be good in order to trick the hero

Propp's 31 narrative functions In addition to the characters Propp he says that it is narratemes (i.e. narrative functions)-events that drive the narrative forward: Family member leaves home -Hero introduced Hero given a warning (e.g. not to do something) Hero ignores the warning Villain appears (e.g. trying to find jewels / children etc.) Villain gains information about the victim Villain attempts to trick the victim (guise / trickery) Victim/ Hero is fooled by the villain Villain causes harm or injury Misfortune or lack is made known to Hero Hero decides on counter-action Hero leaves home Hero is tested by the Donor Hero responds to the test Hero acquires a magical agent Location / hero change to the place of lack Hero and Villain in direct combat Hero is branded (wounded / scarred) Villain is defeated (killed) Lack is met -resolution Hero goes back home Hero is pursued Hero is rescued Unrecognised Hero arrives home / another country False hero claims Hero’s success Difficult task is set Hero resolves the task True Hero now recognised False hero exposed Hero given transformation (new appearance e.g. new clothes) Villain is punished Hero marries and ascends the throne

COMPARISON & contrast WORDS Similarly different to unlike compared to In contrast whereas on the one hand on the other hand Although however juxta posed alike while but