Narrative

Question 1

1. What is narrative?
2. Narrative plays a key role in the construction of what?
3. What 3 theories and theorists are key when thinking about narrative?

Answer 1

1. The story presented and the process of its telling.
2. Meanings.
3. Claude Levi Strauss: Binary Opposition Theory.
   Tzvetan Todorov: 5 stages of narrative Theory.
   Roland Barthes: Enigma Code.

Question 2

1. What does Levi-Strauss say we like to use opposites as a way as?
2. What are Binary opposites?
   - Give an example.
3. What are the 5 stages of Todorov’s Narrative structure?

Answer 2

1. Making sense of our lives.
2. Opposing forces that drive the narrative.
   - Good vs evil.
3. Equilibrium, Disruption, Recognition, Attempt to repair disruption, Reinstatement of equilibrium.

Question 3

1. What is an enigma?

2. Some questions are ________ as the narrative develops, and some are ________.

Answer 3

1. A mystery or question that the text sets up.

2. Answered, withheld.

Question 4

1. What is an unrestricted narrative?
   - What is a restricted narrative?
2. What would an unrestricted narrative create?
   - What would a restricted narrative create?

Answer 4

1. When the audience knows what is happening/about to happen.
   - When the audience only sees the narrative from the character’s perspective: doesn’t know.
2. Suspense.
   - Shock.