Unit 22 - A1 - Narrative Structures

Task 2 - Narrative structures 

What is Todorov's narrative theory?

Todorov in 1969 produced a theory which he believed to be able to be applied to any film. He believed that all films followed the same narrative pattern. They all went through 5 stages called the equilibrium, disequilibrium, acknowledgement, solving and again equilibrium. 

Stage 1 - The equilibrium (everything is fine)

The first part of the story will display a happy start, where the majority of the characters are content, happy and everything is normal. For example, in this shot the girls look excited and eager to explore the new house. This is the part of the equilibrium where everything is going well. None of the problems have started yet and the family look lively and merry. This would make the audience carry on watching because they would want to know what is going to happen next. Its the anticipation if the movie will end good or bad that keeps them hooked. 














Stage 2 - The disequilibrium (something disrupts the happiness)

The second part of the story will feature a problem or something will disrupt the happiness.  For example, ever since the family have moved into the house strange things have been happening. This picture is an example of the strange occurrences which have been happening. At this stage of the disequilibrium the family know something is not right and are frightened and confused. 

Stage 3 - Realization 

This is when everyone in the movie knows whats happening and everything is chaos as things start to get out of control. For example, as the picture shows we see that things have gotten out of control. This is the part of the movie after realizing what is happening that characters in the movie try to get rid of the problem. In this scene the mother has been possessed by an evil spirit and they have called for a priest to try and get rid of the evil soul inside the woman. 

Stage 4 - Solving the problem

This is the part when the characters attempt to repair the damage. For example, this the final stage of the equilibrium where after realizing what is happening things start to get worse and out of control, as in this shot we see the mother being possessed by an evil spirit. This is when the characters have a solution to the problem and try to solve it. 

Stage 5 - The equilibrium (everything is fine again)

This is the stage when everything becomes fine again. As we can see from the photo beside me the family are hugging each other, this shows that the bad spirit which was haunting the family has gone and they can go back to their normal lives which is a happy ending for the family as everything is good.