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Todorovs Theory

Todorov's theory proposes 5 stages in narratives: 1) equilibrium, 2) disruption, 3) recognition of disruption, 4) attempt to repair, 5) reinstatement of equilibrium. Propp's theory identifies 7 character types in folktales including hero, villain, donor. Barthes said texts have multiple meanings and can be "unraveled" through various codes. Straus's theory examines how binary opposites like good vs evil reveal themes.

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49 views

Todorovs Theory

Todorov's theory proposes 5 stages in narratives: 1) equilibrium, 2) disruption, 3) recognition of disruption, 4) attempt to repair, 5) reinstatement of equilibrium. Propp's theory identifies 7 character types in folktales including hero, villain, donor. Barthes said texts have multiple meanings and can be "unraveled" through various codes. Straus's theory examines how binary opposites like good vs evil reveal themes.

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Todorovs theory

This theory suggested that narratives are structured in five


stages.

1. A state of equilibrium at the start


2. A disruption of the equilibrium by some action
3. A recognition that there has been a disruption
4. An attempt to repair the disruption
5. A reinstatement of the equilibrium

Example Hunger Games


1. Everything is at equilibrium and just introducing the main
protagonist
- Katniss has gone beyond her district to hunt in the
forest
- Her hunting in the woods represents her practice for
The Hunger Games if she was ever to be chosen.

2. Then we have disruption of equilibrium caused by an


event
- Katniss sister is chosen to be tribute. Katniss
volunteers as tribute

3. Recognition of disruption
- Katniss recognises what she has got herself into
4. Attempt to repair equilibrium
- Katniss attempts to survive

5. New equilibrium
- Katniss and companion win the game together
- Katniss then returns o family and friends
Propps Theory

1. The villain (struggles against the hero)

2. The donor (prepares the hero or gives the hero some


magical object)

3. The (magical) helper (helps the hero in the quest)

4. The princess (person the hero marries, often sought for


during the narrative)

5. The false hero (perceived as good character in beginning


but emerges as evil)

6. The dispatcher (character who makes the lack known and


sends the hero off)

7. The hero [AKA victim/seeker/paladin/winner, reacts to the


donor, weds the princess

Example: Wizard of OZ

Hero: Dorothy

Villain: Wicked witch of the west


Donors: Scarecrow, Tinman, and Lion

False Hero: Wizard


Barthes Theory
Barthes said that: a text had no beginning, that it is reversible,
we can gain access to it by many entrances, it can be
indeterminable meaning:
- Text needs to be unravelled
- Unravelling can lead to several potential meanings
- We can look at text from one perspective and create
one meaning
- You can continue unravelling the narrative from a range
of angles and create new meanings
Barthes then narrowed down this to five codes which are:
- The action code resolution is produced through action
o Example Spider-Man

- The enigma code - tension is built up and audience is


left questioning
o Example Saw 3
- The symbolic code new meaning comes from
conflicts/opposing ideas
o Example Texas Chainsaw Massacre

- The cultural code looks at the audiences wider


cultural knowledge
o Example Romeo and Juliet

- The semantic code story has an additional meaning/


underlying connotation
o Example The Ring

Strauss Theory
Straus suggested the theory of binary opposites, where two
qualities or subjects are direct opposites of each other.
Essentially one thing can only be defined where its opposite is
also present. This theory helps reveal the underlying themes
and symbolism in many media texts.
Examples:
- Good VS Evil
- Hero VS Villain
- Weak VS Strong

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