Narrative Theories

Todorov suggested that conventional narratives are structured in 5 stages to the theory:

State of equilibrium

Disruption of equilibrium

Recognition of the distribution

An attempt to repair the distribution

A reinstated of the equilibrium 

Vladimir Propp

He suggested that characters took on the role of narrative “spheres of action” or functions

1.       The HERO, usually male, is the agent who restores the narrative equilibrium often by embarking upon a quest (or search) saves the princess and wines her hand. Propp distinguishes between the victim hero, who is the centre of the villain’s attention, and the seeker hero who aids others who are the villain’s victims. The hero is invariably the texts protagonist or central character.

2.       The VILLAIN who creates narrative distribution
      In our trailer the villian is the character who creates narrative distribution due to his Psychotic state of mind, but his identity remians hidden due to the fact that he wears a gas mask.

3.   The DONOR gives the hero something; it may be an object information or advice which helps the resolution of the narrative.

4.       The HELPER aids the hero in the task of restoring the equilibrium

5.       The Princess (the victim) is usually the character most threatened by the villain and has to be saved, at the climax, by the hero, The Fathers (who is in the fairy tales was often king) role is given to the princess away to the hero at the resolution of the narrative. He may also be dispatched as the hero.

6.       The DISPATCHER sends the hero on his or her task

7.       The FALSE HERO appears to be good but at the end of the narrative appears to be bad.