1. NARRATIVE STRUCTURE
TRISTAN TODOROV
Events in a story have a causal relationship with one event leading to an other in a
pattern of cause and effect. The very notion of ‘cause and effect’ implies a change in a
state of affairs. For Todorov, the primary function of narrative is to solve a problem. It
is this that forms the basis of Todorov’s theory of narrative. His model begins with a
state of equilibrium, a condition in which everything is in a state of order. This state of
equilibrium is disrupted either by a force of some kind or through the actions of an
individual. The narrative progresses to a restoration of equilibrium, or order.
Todorov breaks the narrative process down into five stages
• A state of equilibrium at the outset
• A disruption of the equilibrium by some action
• A recognition that there has been a disruption
• An attempt to repair the disruption
• A reinstatement of the initial equilibrium.
TODOROV APPLIED TO BATMAN
A state of equilibrium at the outset
A disruption of the equilibrium by some
action
A recognition that there has been a
disruption
An attempt to repair the disruption
A reinstatement of the initial equilibrium.