finding narrative structures in this film
Explaining the theory;
Seymour Chatman: Satellites & Kernels
- Kernels: key moments in the plot / narrative structure
- Satellites: embellishments, developments, aesthetics
break down a narrative into 2 distinct elements. Those elements which are absolutely essential to the story / plot / narrative development, which are known as KERNELS and those moments that could be removed and the overall logic would not be disturbed, known as SATELLITES.
Relating it to the film;
kernels in this movie I would say would be his illness of memory loss and the inability to make new memories. or the explanation behind the polards.
Explaining the theory;
Vladimir Propp (Character Types and Function)
CHARACTERS FUNCTION TO PROVIDE NARRATIVE STRUCTURE:
- Hero
- Helper
- Princess
- Villain
- Victim
- Dispatcher
- Father
- False Hero
Relating it to the film;
John I would say is portrayed as the villain in the story as we are told so far he killed and raped lends wife
Lenard/lenny- I would say gives off the hero/victim character structure as he deals with the loss of his wife and his illness but descides to do something about it and get revenge on the person who hurt him and his wife.
Explaining the theory;
Roland Barthes: Proairetic and Hermenuetic Codes
- Proairetic code: action, movement, causation
- Hermenuetic code: reflection, dialogue, character or thematic development
Roland Barthes talks about enigma code;the way in which intrigue and ideas are raised- which encourages the audience to want to learn more eg who dun it film, films that give you just enough info but still missing key parts that make the audience want to learn more and figure out.
elision and elipsis are when you cut things out. rarely movie is in real time you have edits
movies can rearrange time
flashbacks and flashforwards
and foreshadowing (showing the end of the film at the start)
and dramatic irony (where the audience knows something the characters dont)
2 story’s happening at the same time- parallel or simultaneous narratives
light and shade to have the movie not be all intense all the time example being having jokes in the middle
non sequitars are parts of narratives that create an enigma but lead no where