ML: Narratology - Todorov

Question 1

Propps Character types (7)

Answer 1

• the hero
• The Villain
• the princess and the princess’s father
• The donor
• The helper
• The dispatcher
• The false hero

Question 2

Equilibrium

Answer 2

The story constructs a stable world. Key characters are presented as part of that stability.

Question 3

Disruption

Answer 3

Oppositional forces - the actions of a villain, perhaps, or some kind of calamity - destabilise the sorts equilibrium. Lead protagonist attempt to repair the disruption

Question 4

New equilibrium

Answer 4

Disruption is repaired and stability restored. Importantly, the equilibrium achieved at the end of the story is different to that outlined at the start. The world is transformed.

Question 5

Plot and subplot(s)

Answer 5

Contemporary film and television drama is traditionally constructed using an overarching master plot accompanied by a series of subplots. Each of these narrative layers will articulate their own individual equilibrium, disequilibrium and transformation sequences.

Question 6

Multiple equilibrium/disruption sequences

Answer 6

Contemporary media products often try to produce a roller-coaster effect for their audiences by developing several equilibrium/disequilibrium sequences before resolving in a final transformation. The alternating response/action effect of such narratives offers audiences multiple moments of narrative calm and excitement.

Question 7

Flexi-narrative

Answer 7

Long format television products deploy multiple three act structures in a similar pattern to that used by master plot/ sub plot sequences, with some narratives resolved in a single scene, with others taking the entire episode/season.

These felixible narratives offer audiences quick fixes, whilst also nurturing long-term viewing engagement by building longer act arcs.

Question 8

Condensed equilibrium

Answer 8

Contemporary audiences, arguably, have a much lower boredom threshold, expecting products to deliver action or disruption quickly.

Producers therefore propel narratives towards moments of immediate disruption to hook audience engagement from the outset.

Question 9

Alt. Story ordering devices - Weakness
Anachronic devices

Answer 9

Flash forward/flash back

Providing moments of disequilibrium before the initial equilibrium.

Reversing Todorov ideal flow by telling us the end before it has begun.

Question 10

Alt. Story ordering devices - Weakness
In media res

Answer 10

Contemporary stories often start mid-action, delivering immediate crisis, inverting Todorov’s ideal narrative progression, through the presentation of disequilibrium before equilibrium

Question 11

Alt. Story ordering devices - Weakness
Multi perspective narratives

Answer 11

Contemporary stories are often told from different character perspectives, repurposing equilibriums as disequilibrium when the story shifts from one character viewpoint to another.

Question 12

Alt. Story ordering devices - Weakness
Metanarrtives

Answer 12

Provide audiences with moments that draw attention to the idea that they are watching a story. Metanarration might knowingly refer to the product as a media construct or speak directly to audiences through fourth wall breaks.

Question 13

Alt. Story ordering devices - Weakness
Unreliable narration

Answer 13

Deliberately deceive audiences, providing plots that deliver unexpected moments - usually by revealing that a characters is not who they claim to be.

Question 14

Alt. Story ordering devices - Weakness
Frame stories

Answer 14

Stories told inside of stories, testing Todorov’s ideal narrative structure through the presentation of nested moments of equilibrium and disequilibrium

Question 15

The ideological effects of story structure

Answer 15

1. Narratives are significations
2. Stories articulate desire
3. Stories invoke desire
4. Disequilibrium and transgression
5. Disequilibrium and ideological villainy

Question 16

Ideological effect

Answer 16

An ideology is a set of ideas or beliefs. media products have an ideological effect in that they channel their audiences to believe those ideas or beliefs.

Villains for instance, might represent beliefs that are undesirable. Hero quests might also identify ideals in terms of beliefs, knowledge or behaviours.

Question 17

Narrative transformation

Answer 17

Todorov suggests that one of the major effects of narrative lies in the way that characters or the worlds that characters inhabit are transformed at the end of the story

Question 18

Question narrative

Answer 18

A narrative in which the central hero goes on a journey - usually in an attempt to repair the narratives equilibrium constructed at the stat of the story

Question 19

Ideal narrative arc

Answer 19

Todorov suggests that the ‘ideal’ narrative structure follows an equilibrium, disequilibrium and new equilibrium formula. This formula is used extensively across a number of media products and forms