memento narrative

Propp

CHARACTERS FUNCTION TO PROVIDE NARRATIVE STRUCTURE:

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

Narrative Functions

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

Todorov

Most stories can be easily broken down into a BEGINNING / MIDDLE / END. :

  • Equilibrium
  • Disruption
  • New equilibrium

Levi – Strauss

NARRATIVES (=myths) are STRUCTURED around BINARY OPPOSITIONS eg: good v evil; human v alien; young v old etc etc.

Chatman

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

Barthes

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

Memento

  • non linear narrative
  • no clear beginning, middle or end.
  • staggered narrative
  • clear kernels and satellites

Key Words / Ideas

  • not real time / live – Elision or Ellipsis
  • Flashbacks
  • Flash forwards
  • Simultaneous
  • Parallel
  • Foreshadowing
  • Dramatic Irony
  • Non – sequitars
  • Light & Shade
  • Proairetic
  • Hermenuetic

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