Narrative Theorists

Roland Barthes (1915-1980)

He established narrative codes such as:

Action Codes – “Something happens that makes the viewer want to know what happens next. This code contains consecutive of action in film and helps to add suspense to a sequence.”

Enigma Codes – “Narrative hooks that engage the audience. Unanswered questions usually make the audience frustrated.”

Claude Levi-Strauss (1908 – 2009)

Established a theory on binary opposition that it is the basis of being able to understand a story as the hero and villain are in opposition of one another such as in the way they dress

Tzvetan Todorov (1939 – 2017)

Established a theory known as the equilibrium theory in which he proposed that a story has 5 stages

Equilibrium – “a happy start where everything is as it should be.”

Disruption to equilibrium – “Something disrupted the happiness”

Recognition of equilibrium

Attempted resolution of disruption to the equilibrium

Restoration of equilibrium/New equilibrium is a established – Return to life before the equilibrium was disrupted

Vladimir Propp (1895 – 1970)

There are 7 character roles:

The Hero – (“Can be the initial victim”)

The Villain/False Hero – (“Originally perceived as good but turns out evil”)

The Princess – (“The hero’s reward and much sought after”)

The Princess’ Father – (“Gives sometimes metaphorically the princess to the hero”)

The Donor – (“Provides the hero with help on their quest”)

The Dispatcher – (“Sends the hero on the quest”)

The Helper – (“Aids the hero in the quest”)