Narratology

TODOROV – Concept 1: the three act ideal

Todorov was hugely influenced by Russian literary theorist, Vladimir Propp, who wrote ‘Morphology of the folktale‘ in 1929. These analysed hundreds of Russian folktales to uncover their narrative structures. Which created a highly stable list of defined characters.

The Hero	-Seeker-hero (relies on the donor to perform) – Victim hero (overcomes a weakness to complete quest)
The Villian	Fights hero and must be defeated
The Princess and Princess’ father	– Princess is usually representing the reward for the hero’s quest – Princess’ father sets the hero tasks to prevent from getting the princess
The Donor	Provides hero with magical agent that allows them to defeat the villain
The Helper	Accompanies the hero
The Dispatcher	Sends the hero on their quest
The False Hero	Performs a villainous role

Todorov argued media narratives are created using moments of action, ‘propositions’. He said that narratives followed similar patterns. Todorov suggests that an ideal narrative is organised using the following story structure:

• Equilibrium: Story constructs a stable world. Key characters are presented.
• Disruption: Oppositional forces – actions of a villain where the hero must find a solution.
• New Equilibrium: Disruption is repaired, and stability is restored but it is different from the start – character transformation.

In more depth:

• Plot and subplots
• Multiple equilibrium/disruption sequences
• Flexi-narratives – some disruptions are resolved in one episode and some are carried through the course of multiple episodes /season
• Condensed equilibrium – producers propel narratives towards moments of immediate disruption to engage audiences.

To keep up with the ever-growing/ demanding audience, new strategies are incorporated.

• Anachronic devices: Flash foward/back
• In media res: Stories start mid-action
• Multiperspective narratives: differwnt character perspectives
• Metanarratives: Usually has breaking the 4th wall involved
• Unreliable narration: deliberately deceive audiences
• Frame stories: stories told inside stories