Narrative Theories (Todorov & Propp)

TODOROV’S THEORY – Todorov proposed a basic structure for all narratives. He stated that films and programmes begin with an equilibrium, a calm period. Then agents of disruption cause disequilibrium, a period of unsettlement and disquiet. This is then followed by a renewed state of peace and harmony for the protagonists and a new equilibrium brings the chaos to an end. The simplest form of narrative (sometimes referred to as ‘Classic’ or ‘Hollywood’ narrative).

  

TODOROV’S THEORY 

                                    

Propp theory

District 13 is a French action film.

            ·        District 13 has two  heroes, Leito and Damien.

   ·        In District 13 the villains are the corrupt government officials led by Gassman, who is determined to illegally demolish the five tower blocks in the heart of District 13 by tactical precision bombing, so he could build aluxury neighbourhood. He aims to achieve this by instigating violence between local gangs and police by framing the local gangs.

   ·        The donors in this film are the gang bosses who come together to assist the heroes despite their differences.

   ·  The princess is the neighbourhood that is going to be destroyed.

   ·   The dispatcher in this case is also the villain. He gives Leito the code for the bomb which has been placed in the neighbourhood.

   ·   The false hero is the codebecause it was meant to stop the bomb however if he wrote it in it would have blown up.

PROPP’S THEORY –Vladimir
Propp’s theory was formed in the early twentieth Century. He studies Russian fairytales and discovered that in stories there were always 8 types of characters evident. These are: the hero, the villain, the donor, the dispatcher, the false hero, the helper, the princess and her father. He did not state these characters were all separate people e.g. the provider could also be the helper. There are only 8 different character types and only 31 things they ever do (character functions). Once you have identified the character type (e.g., the hero) it’s easy to guess what they will do (save the maiden, defeat the villain, marry the maiden or whatever) because each character has a SPHERE OF ACTION. This is easily relatable to films and programmes today.