Narrative theory GCSE

1
Narrative theory GCSE

• Outcomes- By the end of the lesson I will
  understand narrative structure in Media.

2
What is narrative?

• If we wanted to understand narrative, what
  questions might we ask?

3
Narrative

• In media terms, narrative is the
  coherence/organisation given to a series of
  facts.
• We connect events and make interpretations based
  on those connections.
• In everything we seek a beginning, a middle and
  an end.

4
Narrative

• Watch the following video- What is the narrative?
• http//www.youtube.com/watch?v4qQCx9mxV9gobav2e
  

5
What is a narrative and what is a story?

• Story is the substance of a story (A meets B,
  something happens, order returns).
• Narrative is the way that the story is related
  (Once upon a time)
• Therefore, what was the narrative structure of
  the video?

6
Narrative in Media

• Narrative doesnt just appear in film as you have
  just seen
• Films
• Music videos
• Soap operas
• photos

7
Todorov

• 5 stages of narrative
• What do you think the five stages would be?

8
Stage 1- Equilibrium

• This is where everything is fine in the world of
  the film
• Main characters and settings are introduced to
  the audience. We get a sense of the characters
  world
• http//www.tubechop.com/watch/93272

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Stage 2- Disruption of events

• Sometimes only the audience will be aware of the
  events which disrupt the equilibrium.
• The main characters will have not yet discovered
  what is to come.
• http//www.youtube.com/watch?vte6qG4yn-Ps

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Stage 3- Recognition of disruption

• This is when the key characters recognise the
  disruption that has taken place . They learn what
  the audience may have known for a long time.
• http//www.youtube.com/watch?vMnwfHM-20kkfeature
  related

11
Attempt to repair the disruption

• This is the longest part of the film where the
  main characters try to rectify any mistakes or
  problems
• http//www.tubechop.com/watch/93292

12
New equilibrium

• Things are resolved and a new equilibrium is
  created.
• Things are different to the original equilibrium.

13
Genre Equilibrium Disruption Recognition of disruption New equilibrium
Romance
Horror
Action
Sci fi
comedy
14
Subverting the narrative structure.

• Can you think of any films that go against the
  narrative structure?

15
Starting with a disruption

• http//www.youtube.com/watch?vZfAfQxb1_GQfeature
  related
• The film starts with the disruption
• What do you think is the impact on the audience?

16
Narrative structure

• Flash backs
• Flash forwards
• Linear narrative (follows a chronological order)
• Non linear narrative (Doesnt follow a time line)
• Open narrative
• Closed narrative

17
Another way to consider narrative structure

• Generic structure
• Opening
• Build Up
• Problem
• Events
• Resolution
• End

18
Task

• Using a film you know well, identify the 5 stages
  of narrative that Todorov discusses
• Due Friday

19
Propps character types

• Propp suggested that all stories have 8 character
  types and that there were only 31 things that
  they ever really do.
• In pairs write down as many character types as
  you can think of

20
Character types Descriptions examples
The villain Struggles against the hero. May not be a person
The donor Prepares the hero or gives the hero some magical object
The helper (magical) Helps the hero in his quest
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The father of the princess Propp suggested it was hard to distinguish the princess and father character
The hero- Reacts to the donor, weds the princess
False hero Takes credit for the heros actions or tries to marry the princess
22
Character Actions example
The princess or the prize Gives the task to the hero, identifies the false hero, often fought for during the narrative
The dispatcher Makes the issues known to the hero and sends the hero off on his quest
23
Task

• In a film you know well, identify Propps
  character types
• Be prepared to shared with the class

24
Binary oppositions- Claude Levi Strauss

• Oppositional characters- Good/ evil

• On a simple note based on opposition or conflict.
• However the binary oppositions could represent
  ideologies which are ideas that we have in
  society

25
Binary oppositions

• Male
• Humanity
• Nature
• Dirt
• East
• Bad

• Female
• Technology
• Industrialisation
• Cleanliness
• West
• Good