Narrative Theory

1. Narrative Theory

2. In media terms, narrative is the coherence/organisation given to a series of facts. In
everything we seek a beginning, a middle and an end. We understand and construct
meaning using our experience of reality and of previous texts (link back to genre
theory).
In media we need to be able to engage with texts without too much effort. From
what we know about genre, we have expectations of a text’s repertoire of elements
in order to provide us with familiar pleasures. In the same way we have
expectations about the way in which a text is structured.
Basic elements of a narrative, according to Aristotle:
"...the most important is the plot, the ordering of the incidents; for tragedy is a
representation, not of men, but of action and life, of happiness and unhappiness -
and happiness and unhappiness are bound up with action. ...it is their characters
indeed, that make men what they are, but it is by reason of their actions that they
are happy or the reverse." (Poetics - Aristotle(Penguin Edition) p39-40 4th century
BC )
Successful stories require actions which change the lives of the characters in the
story. They also contain some sort of resolution, where that change is registered.
Narratives are not just those we encounter in fiction. Even news stories,
advertisements and documentaries also have a constructed narrative which must
be interpreted

3. Roland Barthes;
Narrative Codes
Barthes was a semiotics professor in the 1950s and
1960s who got paid to spend all day unravelling little bits
of texts and then writing about the process of doing so.
He stated that texts can be open (Variety of different
meanings) or closed (Dominant meaning)
Barthes decided that the processes we use to unravel
meaning are called narrative codes and that they could
be categorised in the following five ways:
•Action or proiaretic code and enigma code (ie. Answers
& questions) to integrate the viewer
•Symbols & Signs (semiotics)
•Points of Cultural Reference (your culture’s value and
belief system – your interpretation of the text is
dependent on this)
•Simple description/reproduction (Ideas or
reproductions of things we’re already familiar)

4. Conventions of
Narrative
Focus: Time
Comprehending Time
Very few screen stories take place in real
time. Whole lives can be dealt with in the 90
minutes of a feature film, an 8 month siege be
encompassed within a 60 minute TV
documentary. There are many conventions to
denote time passing, from the time/date
information typed up on each new scene of
The X-Files to the aeroplane passing over a
map of a continent in Raiders of the Lost Ark.
Other devices to manipulate time include;:
Flashbacks
dream sequences
Repetition
different characters' POV
flash forwards
real time interluds
pre-figuring of events that have not yet taken
place

5. Todorov ‘s Theory – The
structure of a narrative
Tzvetan Todorov, suggests that all narratives follow a three part structure. They begin
with equilibrium, where everything is balanced, progress as something comes along to
disrupt that equilibrium, and finally reach a resolution, when equilibrium is restored.
We can usually apply this to all linear narratives and draws Aristotle’s theory that all
narratives have some for of conflict or disruption to them.

6. Application of Todorov’s
Theory
Let’s think about the Carlsberg advert we used during the genre
lessons.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_M7zOew2Pc
We could argue that this advert is a ‘part of a whole’ – it’s a segment
of a narrative. In this case it’s the resolution of a problem constituting
the new equilibrium.
Imagine:
Man has an apartment (equilibrium) – something happens and he no
longer has an apartment meaning he is looking for somewhere to live
(disequilibrium) – he finds the perfect home and order is restored
(new-equilibrium).

7. Vladimir Propp came up with the theory that there are only a certain number of characters, who
crop up in most narratives. It is easy to spot the hero and villain in most cases, but here are
some others:
Hero : Leads the narrative, is usually looking for something (a quest) or trying to solve
something (a mystery). Does not have to be male :)
Villain : Conflicts with the hero
Heroine: Is usually some sort of prize or reward for the hero. NB if your hero is
female, your heroine can be male :)
Father :An authority figure who offers a reward to the hero for completing their quest.
That reward might be a prince or a princess or a cool new job
Helper: Helps the hero - often acts as a sidekick
Donor: Gives the hero something - a clue, a talisman, a special power - which helps
them complete their quest
Mentor: Teaches and guides the hero

8. Application of Propp’s Theory
Just like genre – character’s need to be broken down by the micro element presents. This leads us to make an
assumption about them (stereotyping).
View the following – deconstruct the character and then state whether they fit Propp’s theory. Remember not all
character types will be present in all narratives.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FN3YaybNJ2s
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4MXSNwewFUU&featur
e=related

9. Levi Strauss’s Theory of Binary Oppositions
Levi Strauss concluded that all narratives were based around or contained a binary or series of binary
oppositions.
E.g. Good Vs Evil
What binary opposition is evident form this trailer?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=baC5IPP9f5g&feature=related
Such binary oppositions may not be as apparent on first glance of a media text. However, all texts are based
upon a level of presupposition on the part of the viewer/consumer. For example, they rely on us using our
knowledge of narrative and genre and filling in the gaps of the prior events that have lead us to this point.

10. Task
Select one of your productions and discuss how narrative theory applies to it.
Remember that for some productions this may be tricky and take a lot of critical reflection. However, it is
acceptable to show that you understand narrative theory by discussing how your production does not fully fit
it – think about the non-linear structure of Tarrantino films.
Similar to genre you can present your findings in any format.