Narrative is what happens chronologically in a story. Films and texts are primarily there to tell a story. Narrative involves the recounting of real or fictitious events. It is about storytelling, not description. It refers to the codes and conventions that are used to organise a story. A picture can have a narrative.
Plot VS Narrative
Narrative is what happens chronologically in the story.
Plot is the way in which the director chooses to portray the story – character, setting, props, etc.
For example, the director of Harry Potter portrays the story through use of special effects, wands, costumes, character enigma, school setting vs the Dursleys, the train…
Non-Linear/Linear
Non-Linear – The storyline is not in chronological order (there is no clear beginning, middle and end).
Linear – The storyline is in chronological order, It has a clear beginning, middle and end.
TODOROV – Narrative Theory
Todorovs narrative theory basically states that most stories or plot lines follow the same path or pattern. There are five steps in this pattern.
- Equilibrium – The start of the sequence (Usually happy). The majority of the characters are content and everything is as it should be. The narrative is steady and unchanged.
2. Disruption of Equilibrium – Something happens to change the narrative. A problem will arise, and something will disrupt the happiness.
3. Realisation of Disruption – This is the part in the story when the characters realise the problem.
4. Quest to restore the Equilibrium – The characters attempt to repair the damage to restore the problem. This doesn’t have to be a quest, but consists of some struggle against disruption.
5. Re-establish Equilibrium/ New Equilibrium – A resolution… A clear ending. The problem is resolved and normality can resume again.
EXAMPLE – MAX (Film we watched with college)
Equilibrium – Kyle is in Afghanistan with his service dog (Max)
Disruption – Kyle is killed in battle field and Max is sent home.
Realisation – Characters adopt Max
Quest to restore the Equilibrium – Family try to come to terms with death of Kyle and with Max, whilst uncovering a secondary plot involving Cartel.
New Equilibrium – Max helps to defeat Cartel and a new family life is adopted. Max is allowed to live in the house with the family.
STRAUSS BINARY OPPOSITION
Strauss believed that the way we understand certain words depends more on our understanding of the different between the word and its opposite, or “binary opposite”.
For example, our understanding of the word “villain” depends on the difference between that word and the opposing word, “hero”.
Binary oppositions are seen frequently in the media, especially in the horror genre. Where good verses evil, sane verses insane and humans verses supernatural.
They are contrasting features within a movie.
Other examples:
Light vs Dark
Hate vs Love
White vs Black
Young vs Old
EXAMPLE…
Harry Potter is a good example of binary opposition.
Harry is the “good” guy or the hero and Voldemort is the “bad” guy or the villain.
The split image could also represent innocence verses corruption and young verses old.
BARTHES ACTION AND ENIGMA
The narrative is driven by action and enigma codes:
Action code – Advances the narrative and tells you what is coming next (e.g. and explosion, a car siren).
Enigma code – Controls what the audience sees and knows. Sets up clues about what is to come but leaves the audience to guess.
CHARACTERS IN NARRATIVES
Characters are the important ingredient in moving the narrative along.
There are usually and archetypical (typical example) characters in film.
Propp identified 8 stock characters in narratives.
1. Hero – The hero reacts to donor.
2. Villain – The villain struggles against hero.
3. Donor – Prepares hero or gives them some magical object.
4. Helper – helps hero in the quest.
5. Princess – Marries hero.
6. Her father – Rewards the hero.
7. Dispatcher – makes quest known and sends hero off.
8. False hero – takes credit for hero’s action or tries to the marry princess.
Shauna Church 
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