A narrative is a story, an account of a string of events occurring in space and time, and connected by the logic of cause and effect. It is the structural feature of a film.

Todorov’s theory of Equilibrium

A linear sequence of events containing:

• Narrative starts with an equilibrium (normal life)
• Something disrupts the equilibrium (change of normal life)
• quest to restore equilibrium begins (realisation)
• reaches climax (peak tension)
• equilibrium is restored (new normal life)

Levi Strauss’ theory of Binary opposition

Within the narrative, there will be binary counters, such as the villain to a hero, or cure to the poison

Propp’s theory of Character types

Propp believes that in nearly every basic narrative, there are these 7 archetypes found in characters:

• The hero (sets out to save/achieve something)
• The donor (gives the hero the resources)
• The villain (opposes the hero)
• The helper (aids the hero)
• The princess (what the hero wants to save/achieve)
• The dispatcher (gives the hero the quest)
• The false hero (misled on the path with bad intentions)

Vogler/Campbell’s theory of The hero’s journey

following the narrative of the protagonist, seeing them venture off their normal life on an adventure through these different stages, crossing into a world unknown to the protagonist, until they meet their end back at their normal life.

Barthes’ theory of Narrative Codes

All narratives will weave together these 5 codes in one way or another. The 5 include:

• Enigma code (what will happen next?)
• Action code (adds action)
• Semantic code
• Symbolic code
• referential code