Narrative

Question 1

What is Pam Cook’s narrative theory?

Answer 1

• Stories are about solving problems
• Needs to have narrative closure/clear conclusion
• Has a start, middle and end in lineararity of cause and effect
• Must make sense in terms of space and time
• Characters must be believable

Question 2

What is Todorov’s narrative theory?

Answer 2

At the beginning everything is balanced (equilibrium)
Then there is a disruption to the euqilibrium
Someone must recognise the disruption and take action against it
Restoration/new equilibrium

Question 3

What is Propp’s narrative theory?

Answer 3

There are 7 basic character types:
1. The villain who struggles against the hero
2. The donor who prepares the hero or gives the hero some magical object
3. The helper who helps the hero in the quest
4. The princess and her father who gives the task to the hero
5. The dispatcher who sends the hero off
6.The hero who reacts to the donor and weds the princess
7. The false hero who takes credit for the hero’s actions or tries to marry the princess

Question 4

What is Levi Strauss’ narrative theory?

Answer 4

Fundamentally stories are told in binary opposites such as good versus evil or protagonist vs antagonist or hero vs villain

Question 5

What are Roland Barthe’s enigma codes?

Answer 5

Enigma codes create mystery so the audience keep watching to find answers to questions they have

Question 6

What is a narrative?

Answer 6

The way the story is told through the plot. The story is what happens and the plot is how we are told the events.

Question 7

What is narrative structuralism?

Answer 7

Binary opposites

Question 8

What is narrative formalism?

Answer 8

Chronology & time, voice & perspective and genre.