Narrative Research Assignment

Narrative theories- study the device and conventions governing the organisation of a story in a sequence.

Tvzetan Todorov- suggested that stories begin with an equalibrium or status quo where any potentiality opposing forces are in balance













Equilibrium disequilibrium and new equilibrium- These are the three main points to a successful movie. Equilibrium is- an existing state of harmony at the beginning of a movie

Disequilibrium is- when the equilibrium is disrupted by an unfortunate event or evil character that will then progress into a chain of negative events or conflict taking place.

New equilibrium is- when the evil character or event ends up being defeated, conflict being resolved and the mood returning back to harmony

Here are a few examples:

Peter Pan:

In the beginning Wendy and the children belong to a normal family, and the mood is set as a peaceful family. When Peter pan arrives and takes the children to never land; things are all exciting for them. (This is where the equalibrium ends) Later on in the film we are then introduced to Captain Hook- who wants Peter Pan dead, he holds Tinkerbell captive and Wendy and the children. (Disequilibrium begins) In the end Peter Pan is defeated by Peter Pan's clever plan. (new equilibrium comes in)
















Daddy Day Care:

At the beginning Eddie Murphy runs a well earned household with his family and has a well paid job (Equilibrium) The problem begins when it is trouble for his son to get into a good day care and he looses his job alongside this too. (This is where the disequilibrium begins) When he final begins to start up his own day care Ben (the son) previous headmaster gets Jealous and attempts to make his daycare a complete failure. However towards the end of the film Eddie Murphy's daycare outshines the other, making their daycare a success. (Bringing the new equilibrium)










Valdimir Propp- His theory was a study of Narratology he studied the fact that fairy tales can be compared by examining the most basic plot components; he argued that fairy tales were constructed of most plot elements, which he called functions, which consistently occurred in a uniform sequence.
From his analysis he found that analysis reveals that fairy tales do share several similarities as far as basic plot elements. However his analysis about the plot element does not fit in with this
What his thoery fails to take into account:

• Propp's analysis also fails to recognise the importance of such story components as tone, mood, characterization, and writing style.
• According to Propp, a cohesive story can be formed by connecting a series of any set of the thirty-one functions in order.
  
  Binary Opposition- is a theory that you can easily put to use when you analyse texts it is a theory set out to explain how we create meaning from things in the world
  
  Flashbacks- an interjected scene that takes the narrative back in time from the current point.
  
  
  The flashback scene takes place during 0.30-0.53