In today's lesson, we observed and analysed the four main narrative theorists and learnt a lot of information about each famous one.
What is a Narrative?
A Narrative is a way of retelling something that has happened before. It is often in words, yet sometimes it is mimed.
Who are the four main Narrative Theorists?
1. Roland Barthes
2. Todorov
3. Vladimir Propp
4. Levi-Strauss
Roland Barthes
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| Roland Barthes |
Barthes' has five Narrative Codes which are represented in many films. These codes include; Hermenutic/Enigma codes, Proairetic/Action code, Semantic code, Symbolic code and Referential code.
The Hermenutic/Enigma code consists to a mystery within a text. Throughout the text there are clues dropped in order to attract the audience but no answers are given.
The Proairetic/Action code refers to the action installed in the text which initially adds suspense to the events occurring.
The Semantic code applies to the additional meanings involved in the text. This implies that their is an additional meaning to their literal text.
The Symbolic code is relevant to the symbolism in the text. And therefore, the symbolisms in some texts can have two meanings which could relate to the Hermenutic code.
The Referential code refers to anything a person may need to know outside of the text, which is also known as context, which can be historical, scientific, cultural or present knowledge.
Todorov
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| Todorov |
This Theorists suggests that in each passage there are 5 stages:
1. Equilibrium (state of normality)
2. Disruption of Equilibrium
3. The main protagonists recognises the disruption of equilibrium
4. Restoration of equilibrium (the protagonists restores equilibrium)
5. New Equilibrium
Vladimir Propp
.jpg/220px-Vladimir_Propp_(1928_year).jpg) |
| Vladimir Propp |
1. The Hero
2. The Villan
3. The Donor (helps the hero by providing them with an object)
4. The Dispatcher (sends the hero on their way)
5. The False Hero (falsely assuming the role of the hero)
6. The Helper (gives support to the hero)
7. The Princess (the reward for the hero, but also needs to be protected from the villan)
8. The Princess' Father
Levi-Strauss
This Theorists simply suggests that they are binary opposites in every movie. An example of this is 'good and evil', 'old and young' and 'pretty and ugly'.