NARRATIVE THEORIES​
PROPP
Prop analysed over 100 Russian fairy tales and came to the conclusion that all characters in any narrative could be fit into 8 main character types:
1. THE HERO
Is usually the protagonist. They are usually on a journey quest or mission and end up being successful most of the time.
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2. THE VILLAIN
Is usually morally bad and tries to go against the heroes plans. They usually show behavior that makes the audience go against them and side with the hero.
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3. THE DONOR
Usually contributes something special to the quest to help the hero complete it. It doesn't always have to be a physical objects.
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4. THE HELPER
Aids the protagonist in their journey and appears at crucial moments to offer guidance or company. This helps show that all heroes have limits and usually need help.
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5. THE PRINCESS
Is usually an object of desire or a reward. They are often identified as the damsel in distress or the character in need of help.
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6. THE PRINCESS'S FATHER
The princess's father is the character who usually gives the hero their task and offers a reward in return. This character is someone that the hero has to prove themselves to or persuade. They are usually hard to identify.
7. THE DISPATCHER
The dispatcher is usually a family member who sends the hero on a mission of some type.
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8. THE FALSE HERO
Appears heroic through the narrative but we soon discover that their motives are corrupt and can sometimes lead the hero astray.
LEVI-STRAUSS
Studied how many myths and legends were subconsciously based of our own cultural traditions and values. He stated that we learn the meaning of what one word means by understanding what its opposite means; we know what a villain is because we know they are opposite to the hero
He said that this is usually shown in the form of conflict between binary oppositions such as good and evil, sane andinsane, rational and irrational and human and superhuman...etc.
BARTHES
suggested that narratives make use of 5 different codes that are activated when an audience watches the narrative and make sense of it:
1. ACTION/PROAIRETIC
Is a device where an outcome is created by the characters taking action and creating an event to further the narrative
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2. ENIGMA/HERMENEUTIC
Works by presenting a puzzle that audience can try and solve. This gets the audience to become more engaged in a narrative to try and figure out the ending which is pleasurable if the audience turns out to be right. An unsolved enigma ending can cause frustration in the audience
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3. SYMBOLIC
What is denoted to show contrast, greater meaning, tension drama and character development
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4. SEMANTIC
Elements in a narrative such as settings objects or themes that are connotative and refer to additional meanings in the story.
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5. CULTURAL/REFERENTIAL
Things in the narrative that refer to the world outside the narrative such as cultural knowledge aswell is historical and scientific facts.
TODODROV
Todorov beleived that all narratives have 5 mains stages that can be identified within them;
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1. AN EQUILIBRIUM
Every narrative begins with an equilibrium; a state where everything is orderly and the world of the narrative is free from anything unusual
2. A DISRUPTION
There is usually an event that occurs that disrupts the equilibrium and takes away order from the situation
3. RECOGNITION OF THE DISRUPTION
The event is recognised by the characters and the extent of the disorder is revealed so that every character is aware of it
4. A RESOLUTION
Is thought of and carried out in order to solve the problem and bring he narrative back to a state of calm. This creates a sense of achievement and triumph
5. A NEW EQUILIBRIUM
Is created where either things return to how they were before or the characters have learnt to live with a new order.
Todorov believed these 5 stages could be applied to any narrative