Assignment 8 narrative theory
- 1. Assignment 8-Narrative theory Part A: Todorov Part B: Levi-Strauss Part C:Barthes Part D: Propp Amy Cleary
- 2. Part A-Todorvo 1. Equilibrium- this is normality. 2. Disequilibrium- action or event which causes conflict. 3. Recognition of disequilibrium- the main struggle. 4. Attempt to restore the damage. 5. New equilibrium.
- 3. Equilibrium Disequilibrium Recognition of Attempt to New disequilibriu restore the equilibrium m damage In the Cal finds out The Titanic hits Most woman Rose survives beginning Rose cheated an iceberg and and children and tries to Rose and Cal with Jack. sinks. get put onto move on. board the the life boats. Titanic.
- 4. Part B-Levi-Strauss Levi-Strauss believed that our world is binary opposites. Themes in real life and in stories have differences. Such as: • Dark/light • Girl/boy • Good/bad • Sun/rain Strauss believed these oppositions are crucial to our ability to make meanings of our lives.
- 5. Film Opposite 1 Opposite 2 Explanation “Crash” Drama Innocent-Thandie Violation-Matt Both opposite sex Newton Dillion however one is innocent and the other is harmful. “The Pact” Horror Good-Caity Lotz Bad-Mark Steger One is good and the other is evil and a murderer. “The Dark Knight Superhero- Villain – Tom The superhero Rises”-Action Christian Bale Hardy saves the people from being killed by the villain.
- 6. Part C-Barthes • Barthes theory is similar to Torvodo. He believes the audiences experience of narrative involves anticipation and expectation of a resolution to the disruption or conflict. • His theory encourages the audience to seek clues and answers and to make them look forward to what happens.
- 7. Enigma • Enigma in films is when the film leaves the audience wondering because we cant see what the character. “Cabin in the woods” What is this? Why is it there?
- 8. Action code • Certain codes of behaviour or actions that lead the audience to expect assured outcomes. Romance Horror/thriller Action • Couple know they • A woman has a spirit • A mans daughter and cant be together because inside her and she tries her friend get they live in different to fight it off. kidnapped. countries. Assumption Assumption Assumption • They will move in • She will get rid of it • She will get rescued. together and fall in love. and everything will be okay.
- 9. Colour= Green Green surroundings Foods= = nature. Raw green foods represent health and Peace= well being. Represents peace and harmony.
- 10. Symbolic code • The symbolic code is the real meaning behind what is happening in the scene with the characters and their different actions.
- 11. Cultural code • Cultural code is used to improve our reading and understanding of the text, also where the film is set would help our understanding stronger. The costumes used would enhance the audiences knowledge.
- 12. Part D: Propp • After studying folklore, legends and fairy tales Propp noticed there is many similarities within them, this is the character types and same sort of problems. Propp has two theories, the first one is “7 spheres of action” and they are : • Hero • Villain • Dispatcher • Donor • Helper • Heroine • False hero
- 13. Hero • The hero is always on a type of mission or search rescue. It was often that a male would play the hero as they are strong, however it has become a lot more common for it to be female hero's. The hero in the dark knight rises is the dark knight.
- 14. Villain • The villain is always an enemy of the hero and causes destruction and damage. They usually take something precious from the hero to hold against them. The villain in the dark knight rises is “Bane”.
- 15. Dispatcher • The dispatcher is the one who gives the hero advice and helps them in order for them to complete their mission.
- 16. Donor • The donor is the person which is created by the story which the characters come across and experience.
- 17. Helper • The helper is the person who is like a sidekick to the hero throughout their journey. Cat woman in the dark knight rises is a helper of the dark knight.
- 18. Heroine • Usually referred to as “princess” in fairy tales. Mostly female but not always. • Is the most vulnerable characters a needs rescuing by a heroic strong male. • Usually falls in love with the hero at the end.
- 19. False hero • This is the person who pretends to help the hero but leads them the wrong way so they can be the hero.
- 20. Diegesis • The diegesis is the internal world created by the story which the characters come across and experience.
- 21. Narrative Range • Unrestricted narration • This is a narrative which has no limits and the characters give away as much information as possible, they are not hiding any information. E.g. a newspaper. • Restricted Narration • Only offers minimal information and doesn’t give much away to the audience.