Narrative TheoryEmily Capon

Claude Levi Strauss Claude Levi Strauss is the theorist behind binary oppositions. He suggested that all narratives are driven by the constant creation of conflict between two polar opposites, and that the conflict must always end in a resolution of conflict (within film). The opposites can be as simple as good vs evil, although they don’t have to be a metaphor or simply light and dark

Allan Cameron Allan Cameron has studied narratives within cinema in more recent years and has come up with a theory of modular narratives. He identified four types of modular narrative: Anachronic – when there’s no clear dominance between any narrative threads and involves modified flashbacks and flashforwards. These narratives also often repeat scenes directly or via a different perspective. Forking path – juxtapose alternative versions of the story, within the same narrative. It shows outcomes which might result from such small changes in a single event or groups of events. There may be a number of plot lines, which normally contradict one another. Episodic – This narrative is organised as an abstract series or narrative anthology. Split screen – spatial rather than temporal (we see two or more places at the same time).These films divide the screen into two more frames, juxtaposing events wihin the same visual field in a sustained fashion.

Vladimir ProppPropp suggested that there are 7 main character types these are:The hero - this character may not necessarily be the main character, but the hero fights against the villain and is often lead by the donor, or shares a tight bond with them. The villain – this character is the character that goes against the “stereotypical” hero. They challenge the “good” in a film narrative. The donor/enabler – this character prepares the hero or gives the hero some magical object. This character is often a fairy godmother, particularly in fairy tales. The helper – this character helps the hero on their quest. The helper may also be found in a supporting role. The characteristic of a helper can include intelligence, determination and courage. The princess – this character is sought for during the narrative, and is often the person that the hero marries at the end of the narrative during the celebrations. The princess can sometimes fall for the false hero, before realising her mistake and falling for the real hero. The false hero – this character is perceived as a good character in the beginning, but later emerges as evil. The dispatcher – the character who sends the hero off on their quest. The dispatcher often has an early role in the narrative. This may be a family member such as a mother or father. It can also be the princess's father, who gives the hero a set of quests to be completed before he gains the hand of the princess. The dispatcher may also be combined with another role, for example the false hero who then trails along behind (perhaps disguised as a helper).

Tzvetan Todorov Todorov simplified the idea of narrative theory and suggested that conventional narratives are structured using five main stages: 1) State of equilibrium 2) Disruption of equilibrium 3) Recognition by main characters of this disruption 4) Attempt to repair disruption 5) Reinstatement of equilibrium- This equilibrium is never identical to the original state of equilibrium, as for equilibrium to be restored, the characters must learn something; the characters and/or situations are altered by the disruption.