Narrative Theorists

Levi Strauss Narrative Devices

 

Claude Levi-Strauss' built upon philosopher Aristotle's statement that ''all drama is conflict'' with his Theory of Binary Oppositions. Strauss said that all stories are 'Accelerated forward by conflict which is caused by opposing characters or events''.

Opposites within a storyline are extremely important in a successful story, as drawing two different worlds or characters together inspires conflict and interesting narrative.

Therefore the presence of binary opposition in film is an important one, as the differences within the world of the story collide and create a disturbance for which a solution must be found. it also helps to create and distinguish between character roles, for there cannot be a hero without a villain.



Barthes Narrative devices

Roland Barthes proposes that there are codes within film which serves to engage audiences.

The Enigma Code generates and controls what information a viewer is aware of within a narrative holds their interest throughout the film. It intrudes problems or puzzles which must be solved as well as mysteries which must be uncovered.

The Action Code refers to events which occur that the viewer immediately can identify as being significant to the developed of the narrative. Resolution may be achieved through action also.

Todorov Narrative devices

Tsvetan Todorov presents us with his theory, which is based on his study of folk tales, that implies all mainstream film follows a similar narrative structures to each other. It consists of five stages and is known as Todorov's Theory of Narrative



The Five Stages

Equilibrium - The introductory setting is established, with key characters appearing and the storyline is set up. This part of the story shows the balance in the lives of the characters before stage two occurs

Disruption - Oppositional characters are introduced and the story takes a particular direction.

Recognition - Of the disruption, the characters lives and the events are combined and so we are able to see the effect the events could have on the characters. Tis is the part where Todorov believes the tensions constantly builds and this section is the longest in the film.

Repair - Or attempts to repair the damage from the disruption, the highest point of tension in the film, after which comes a change in dynamic.

New equilibrium - where everything is restored but adapted in the new dynamic, problems are all solved and loose ends are tied.