Roland Barthes – Proairetic and Hermeneutic Codes

• Proairetic code: action, movement, causation
• Hermeneutic code: reflection, dialogue, character or thematic development

Vladimir Propp – 8 Stock Character types, Spheres of Action

8 STOCK CHARACTER TYPES

1. Hero
2. Helper
3. Princess
4. Villain
5. Victim
6. Dispatcher
7. Father
8. False Hero

SPHERES OF ACTION

The types of character types we identify with and adopt. Each character follows an individual narrative with multiple different functions that is essential in organising the characters in a plot. These narratives can be watered down and divided into 6 types of mini narrative plots:

1. PREPARATION
2. COMPLICATION
3. TRANSFERENCE
4. STRUGGLE
5. RETURN
6. RECOGNITION

Todorov – Narrative Structure = Equilibrium, Disruption, New Equilibrium (Includes resolution)

• Equilibrium
• Disruption
• New equilibrium

Seymour Chatman – Satellites & Kernels

• Kernels: key moments in the plot / narrative structure
• Satellites: embellishments, developments, aesthetics

Levi-Strauss – Binary opposition

NARRATIVES (=myths) are STRUCTURED around BINARY OPPOSITIONS, e.g. Love VS Hate, Good VS Bad