Narrative Theory

Narrative Theory 

Todrov's theory of equilibrium: 

1. The narrative starts with an equilibrium- Everything is at peace.
2. An action or character disrupts the equilibrium-  There is no longer any peace. 
3. A quest to restore equilibrium begins.
4. The narrative continues to a climax. 
5. Resolution occurs and equilibrium is restored. - The world is now at peace. 

Unconventional Narratives: 

Non-linear and circular narratives are not so straight forward. 

Propp's character Theory: 

 Propp argues that in all narratives there are seven types of characters which are, these are not always literal: 

1. The Hero- The protagonist with good intentions. 
2. The villain-  The antagonist that struggles against the hero.
3. The Doner/Enabler- That prepares the hero or provides them with a metaphorical magical object. 
4. The helper- Helps the hero in the quest.
5. The princess- Often sought for or in need of rescue during the plot. 
6. The false hero- Perceived as a good character in the beginning but is reviled as evil.
7. The dispatcher- Character who sends the hero off.

Examples of this in music videos: 

Fall Out Boy "Centuries"

The band Fall Out Boy's video for the song "Centuries" contains all the stages of Todrov's theory of Equilibrium: 

1. Equilibrium: The scene opens with shots of Rome in peace. Children are playing with straw and all is well. 

2. Disruption : is caused when all the members of the band are forced to fight a giant in an arena. Shots are shown of the band and their opposition preparing for the fight.

3. Recognition: When the band has to confront the danger of fighting the giant. At first they all seem to be losing. 

4. Repair: The band members begin to fight back with force, after failing a lot they begin to show signs of victory. They throw a stone at the giants head that kills him.

5. Equilibrium: Is restored as the band receive a happy cheer from the audience. 

The video in someway contrasts with lyrics the only similarity is the theme of a legacy. "You will remember me for centuries" goes hand in hand with the intertexuaility of the story "David and Goliath" an old but well known post-classic Jewish tale. However, the rest of the lyrics have a more modern feel "The stories aren't off, heavy metal broke my heart" showing that they don't have collaborate to closely to be an effective narrative and video. 

The video also contains Propp's character types: 

1. The Hero- All of the band members that fight against the villain in the arena.

2. The villain- The antagonist Goliath that fights against them is this character type. 

3. The Enabler- Is the cloaked man at the beginning of the video that provide the band members with the stones that enabler them to defeat the villain. 

4.The helper- Is also the cloaked man. 

5. The princess- The only sought after character could be the woman in the painting like mise-en-scene who has the costume of a Goddess.
6. The false hero- Could be the King who stereotypical looks like a hero but makes many people endure fighting in the arena and is even dissapointed when the band members are victorious instead of dead.
7. The dispatcher- Is also the man in the cloak who turns out to be an angle at the end of the narrative.