2. Aim: Explore narrative theories and apply to
coursework in preparation for exam question
Starter:
What narrative theories do you already know?
How can you apply these to your coursework?
3. Aim: Explore narrative theories and apply to
coursework in preparation for exam question
What is narrative?
"Story is the irreducible substance of a story (A
meets B, something happens, order
returns), while narrative is the way the story is
related (Once upon a time there was a
princess...)" (Key Concepts in Communication -
Fiske et al (1983))
4. Aim: Explore narrative theories and apply to
coursework in preparation for exam question
Barthes
Narrative conventions:
• Genre- certain genres have certain narratives
• Character- by identifying the character type we can establish their narrative path
• Form- types or style of narrative
• Time- linear/non linear narratives
Narrative codes:
• Action- resolution is produced by action
• Enigma- mysteries/ questions/riddles to be solved
• Symbolic- connotation
• Semic- denotation
• Cultural- cultural representations
5. Aim: Explore narrative theories and apply to
coursework in preparation for exam question
Types of narrative:
Linear narrative
A B C D E
6. Aim: Explore narrative theories and apply to
coursework in preparation for exam question
Non Linear
E A B C D
A B C D
E D C B A
7. Aim: Explore narrative theories and apply to
coursework in preparation for exam question
• flashbacks
• dream sequences
• repetition
• different characters' POV
• flash forwards
• real time interludes
• pre-figuring of events that have not yet taken
place
8. Aim: Explore narrative theories and apply to
coursework in preparation for exam question
Temporal Order
The narrative can also be presented in parallel terms, for instance we watch a scene where a character is
getting ready for a party, then we see another scene where a friend is doing the same. The time when this is
happening is parallel to each other - it is happening at the same time in real terms. Parallel editing
Temporal Duration
There are 3 distinctions of time within a film:
Screen duration: the time the film takes to show- real time
Narrative duration: the length of time the narrative covers- actually shown
Story duration: the length of time the story covers (including all the inferred events we bring to it)- 5 years
later…
Temporal Frequency
The narrative of a film may show us an event which happens once in the film but we know to have happened
many times in the story - a short-cutting of information for the viewer. For instance, in a film such as Gladiator,
we see the hero fight four battles before his final triumph. We assume that many more battles have actually
taken place, but we are being shown the most important ones in whatever respect. Alternatively, but less
frequently, a story event may be shown more than one time during the plot - we see an event occur from
another angle which may lead us to view characters or events in a different light.
9. Aim: Explore narrative theories and apply to
coursework in preparation for exam question
Closed narrative:
All threads are resolved
Open narrative:
Story is not resolved or is left for interpretation
10. Aim: Explore narrative theories and apply to
coursework in preparation for exam question
Single strand: one story
Multi strand: more than one story which are all
resolved by the end
Flexi-narrative: More than one story, not all of
which are resolved but may feature and be
resolved in a sequel or series
11. Aim: Explore narrative theories and apply to
coursework in preparation for exam question
Narrative structures:
Todorov:
EQUILIBRIUM DISRUPTION/DISEQUILIBRIUM NEW EQUILIBRIUM
Equilibrium disruption recognition repair new equilibrium
LINEAR
12. Aim: Explore narrative theories and apply to
coursework in preparation for exam question
Narrative structure:
Propp’s character types and functions:
• the villain, who struggles with the hero (formally known as the antagonist)
• the donor,
• the helper,
• the Princess, a sought-for person (and/or her father), who exists as a goal and often recognizes and
marries hero and/or punishes villain
• the dispatcher,
• the hero, who departs on a search (seeker-hero), reacts to the donor and weds
• the false hero (or antihero or usurper), who claims to be the hero, often seeking and reacting like a
real hero (ie by trying to marry the princess)
31 stages
LINEAR
13. Aim: Explore narrative theories and apply to
coursework in preparation for exam question
Levis-Strauss
Binary opposites:
Conflict pushes the narrative forward. In order to
have conflict we must have opposing elements e.g
Good and Evil
Usually one element will overcome the other to
resolve the narrative
14. Aim: Explore narrative theories and apply to
coursework in preparation for exam question
Plan your response to this example exam question:
