todorov’s narrative theory pp

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Todorov’s Narrative Theory

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Page 1: Todorov’s Narrative Theory pp

Todorov’s Narrative Theory

Page 2: Todorov’s Narrative Theory pp

• Todorov suggested that storiesbegin with an equilibrium or status quo where any potentially opposing forcesare in balance. This is disrupted by some event, setting in chain a series ofevents. Problems are solved so that order can be restored to the world of thefiction creating a new equilibrium.

Page 3: Todorov’s Narrative Theory pp

Todorov suggested that conventional narratives are structured in five stages:

• 1. a state of equilibrium at the outset;• 2. a disruption of the equilibrium by some action;• 3. a recognition that there has been a disruption;• 4. an attempt to repair the disruption;• 5. a reinstatement of the equilibrium• This type of narrative structure is very familiar to us

and can be applied to many ‘mainstream’ film narratives.

Page 4: Todorov’s Narrative Theory pp

• For example, mean girls starts with the equilibrium that she is friends with Janice and Damian then the disruption happens when she becomes popular and falls out with them. Recognision happens my her parents who see that she has changed. She then tries to repair the situation by apologising to everyone.The new equilibrium is everyone becoming friends in the end.

Page 5: Todorov’s Narrative Theory pp