Narrative
Theories
Narrative is the media term
for story telling and is the way the different elements in a story are
organised to make a meaningful story. Some of these elements can be facts as in
a documentary, or charters and action as in drama. Narrative shows us the
audience how the story or plot unfolds; an open ending means there is no final
conclusion to the story.
Todorov’s Theory
Todorov’s theory has three
main parts, first one is that the text begins with a sate of equilibrium which
is everything appears to be normal or calm. The second part is there can be
some kind of disruption this often a threat to the normal situation to it could
be just a setback. Third and final main part is a new equilibrium. Which is
produced to end the narrative, in the best narrative there is some kind of
change for the better perhaps in the main characters behaviour or outlook on
life.
In the todorov theory
narrative is not seen as near but as circular. The narrative is driven by the characters
attempts to restore the equilibrium, although the end result is not quite the
same as the beginning.
Levi Strauss Theory
He introduced the notion of
binary oppositions as a useful way to consider the production of meaning within
narratives. He argued that all construction of meaning was dependent, to some
degree, on these oppositions. For example light VS dark, good VS evil, noise VS
silence, right VS wrong, poverty VS wealth, strength VS weakness, inside VS
outside.
