Assignment 15:Narrative theory

Gelsomina De LuciaKelly Morales

Chelsea Hopkins Tayla Humphris

Todorov Task 1

Todorov Theory

• Todorov believes there are five stages of narratives:

The equilibrium(normality)

The disequilibrium(conflict/disruption of the equilibrium)

The recognition of the equilibrium

Attempt to repair the disequilibrium

New equilibrium(New normality)

• The disequilibrium motivates the cause and effect of the following stages

Todorov’s Theory

Equilibrium: The equilibrium in the film is when we are introduced to the

characters and the house. The girl returns to her childhood home.Disequilibrium: The dad goes missing and we think someone is in the house

Recognition of the disequilibrium: She realises that there is an intruder and begins to panic

The attempt to repair the situation: She manages to escape in a car and the uncle comes to the house, however he drives her back to the house and she is left in the car alone

The new equilibrium: Sarah becomes aware that she that it is all in her head as she realised her father used to abuse her in this childhood home, which could have been the trigger of the tricks her mind was playing on her

Strauss Theory

• He believed that our world consists of Binary Opposites, the confliction of themes within real life and stories. E.gNight/day, dark/light

• He believed that opposition offered structure in films, books and plays– The problem with is it creates a dangerous norm and the oppositions can lead

to a status in hierarchy, in which the audience believes one side has to win

Strauss Chart (Narrative theory)

Film Opposite 1 Opposite 2 Explanation

Explain how they are opposites :

Male/female

Day/Night

Innocent/Evil

Extension: How does the binary

opposites provide narrative structure:

It clarifies the ending and the characters

characterization is the result in the

ending being psychological. Without a

villain and victim there is no narrative

structure as it creates a climatic point

during the film.

Extensions: Evaluate the use of

binary opposites

The use of the killer having

interchangeable characteristics to

manipulate the victim. However this is

challenged to a certain extent as the

killer does not physically harm her but

mentally.

Sile

nt H

ou

se

V i c t i m K i l l e r

Vulnerable

Young

Unstable

Delusional

Paradoxical

Acts Innocent

Disguises who he really is

Interchangeable personalities