Narrative Theory- Miss Georgiou

Narrative Theory

 Vladimir Propp:

Characters:

The Hero- A character that seeks something e.g. to rescue or to defeat someone.
The Villain- A character that opposes/ actively blocks the hero's quest.The Donor- The character that provides an object with magical properties.The Dispatcher- Who sends the hero on their quest via a message.The False Hero- Who disrupts the hero's success by making false claims.The Helper- Who aids the hero.The Princess- Who acts as the reward for the hero and the object of the villain's plot.The Princess's Father- Who rewards the hero for his effort.

Actions:A community/ family is in a normal state of being.A member of the community/ family leaves home.A warning is given to the leaders of the community or a rule is imposed on the hero.The warning is ignored or the rule is broken.The villain attempts to discover something about the victim of the broken rule.The villain tries to deceive the victim in order to gain advantage.The victim unwillingly helps the villain.

Complications:
A state of disorder.
The villain harms a member of the family/ community.
One of the members of the family/ community desires something.
The hero is sent to get what is desired.
The hero plans action against the villain.

Transference:
The hero leaves home.
The hero is tested or attacked/ they meet the test and is given a magical gift or helper.
The hero reacts to the donor.
The hero arrives at the place that he can fulfill his quest.

Struggle:
There is a struggle between the hero and the villain.
The hero is branded.
The villain is overcome.
The state of disorder is settled.

Return:
The hero returns.
The hero is pursued.
The hero escapes or is rescued.
A false hero claims rewards.
A task is set for the hero.
The hero accomplishes the task.

Recognition:
The hero is recognised.
The false hero or villain is is unmasked.
The false hero is punished.
The hero attains the reward.

Criticisms:
Propp's theory of narrative seems to be based in a male orientated environment. However, it may still be applied because the function of characters is the basis of the theory. For example, the hero could be female and the reward could be male. Some people claim that there are more character types than those identified by Propp. Some people also argue that Propp's strict order of events and characters are restrictive and that the functions and events should be applied randomly as new narratives are met.

It applies to Fairy Stories and to other similar narratives based around quests. It doesn't apply to all narratives.

 Todorov's Theory:

Todorov simplified the idea of narrative theory whilst allowing a more complex interpretation of film texts with his theory of Equilibrium and Disequilibrium.

The fictional environment begins with a state of equilibrium (everything normal) but it then suffers some disruption (disequilibrium) and new equilibrium is produced at the end of the narrative.

There are 5 stages that the narrative can pass through:
A state of equilibrium (all as it should be).
A disruption of that order by an event.
A recognition that the disorder has occurred.
An attempt to repair the damage caused by the disruption.
A return of restoration (how things should be) of a new equilibrium.

Narrative is seen as a circular structure, something will continue to disrupt the equilibrium which drives the narrative. But the equilibrium obtained is not the same as the equilibrium at the start. Todorov argues that narrative involves a transformation. The characters or the situations are transformed through the progress of disruption. The disruption itself normally takes place outside of normal social events.

Aristotle:

Headings used by some producers/ screenwriters include:
Inciting Incident.
Dramatic Question.
Character Goal.
Antagonist/ Protagonist.
Stakes.
Resolution.
Sympathy/ Empathy.

These headings are close to those suggested by the father of narrative theory, Aristotle. Aristotle's literary criticism is probably most famous for unities: time, place and action. Aristotle's most complete analysis is of tragedy, which is arguably the basis of most serious drama.

My Narrative:

The narrative theory that my film would follow is Todorov's theory because my film is based on equilibrium being disrupted and restored. For example, the beginning of my film would be the equilibrium being disrupted and the rest of the film would be an attempt to restore the equilibrium.