Introduction to Narrative TheoryNarrative Theory and Todorov

Learning Objective• To become familiar with the ideas of Todorov• To begin to apply narrative theories to film

Once Upon a Time…

Tell me about your day so far…

Narrative

Plot

StoryWHAT (IF ANY) IS THE

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THESE 3 KEY TERMS?

Narrative

Plot

Story

A narrative is the relation between a series of events

Plot is the order in which the characters find out about these events

The story is the strict chronological order in which the events occur

Remember, making notes is a crucial part of AS Level Film Studies...

So, that means…

• "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)

Narrative Structure

• There are three ways in which narrative is structured.

1. Circular2. Episodic3. Linear

Circular Narrative

• The is when a film begins at the end. This might sound strange, but if you think about it there are many films that start at the end and use a series of flashbacks, or construct the narrative around a single flashback and then return to where the film began.

Episodic Narrative

• Not all films with flashbacks and voice-overs are circular. For example ‘Forrest Gump’ has an interesting narrative structure because although events unfold more or less in chronological order, rather than just seeing Forrest at the beginning and end of the film, we keep returning to him sitting on the bench telling his story. The narrative is broken up into episodes or more manageable narrative pieces.

Linear Narrative

• This is the most simple and commonly used narrative structure; it refers to a story that is told in the order in which events happen – from beginning to end. These are sometimes referred to as ‘cause and effect’ narratives as the consequences of one event have an effect on something else and things move along in this linear fashion. This doesn’t mean to say linear narratives are boring – Sixth Sense and Pan’s Labyrinth follow linear narratives but still create intrigue and mystery. Remember – linear narratives are only simplistic in reference to time and place, not in terms of plot!

Copy and Complete the table below with examples of films you know.

Circular Narrative Episodic Narrative Linear NarrativeExample: Example: Example:

Explanation: Explanation: Explanation:

Narrative Viewpoint

1. Restricted Narrative• A narrative that only allows us to know

what the characters know.

2. Omniscient Narrative• A narrative which allows us to know

more about the characters and their situations than they know themselves

TaskOf the genres below, which have omniscient narratives and

which have restrictive (usually) and why?

CRIME

ACTION

DISASTER MOVIE

SCI-FI

HORROR

ROMANCE

OMNISCIENT RESTRICTIVE

TZVETAN TODOROV

Todorov was a Bulgarian

theorist who devised a way of

looking at different stages of the narrative.

As a group, apply this theory to Casablanca. You will need to put things that happen in the PLOT section – and which characters are involved in

the CHARACTER section. PLOT CHARACTER

Stage 1Equilibrium

Stage 2Disruption

Stage 3Recognition

Stage 4Action

Stage 5Equilibrium

Restored

Relationship Between Narrative and Genre

• A study of different genres in film and television will suggest that the formula requires the narrative to be closed in a different way for each genre.• “Both are means in which the world of human

experience can be reconstructed, rearranged and reimagined.” - H.Newcomb (2004)

Task

Using Todorov’s narrative theory as a base, create a diagram which represents the general narrative patterns of these genres. Use the films you know to help you.

HORRORCOMEDY

SCI-FI