Narrative Theory Exercise - Todorov, Propp, Wright

Todorov Five Part Narrative Structure

1. Equilibrium – the setting is established, key character(s) are introduced and

the storyline has begun to be set up

2. This is then followed by a disruption whereby an oppositional character(s)

appear and the story takes a particular direction

3. Then there is recognition of disruption, in that the lives of characters and

events are interwoven. Tension builds throughout this section, which is often

the longest.

4. An attempt to repair the disruption is at the highest point of tension within

the film after which there is a change in the dynamic.

5. Finally, there is a re-reinstatement of equilibrium where matters are sorted

out, problems are solved and questions are answered. The new equilibrium can be

described as new as the story has been resolved but the events have

possibly changed people.

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Propp concluded that all characters could be resolved into 8 broad character functions in the 100 folk tales he analyzed:

1. The villain — struggles against the hero.
2. The dispatcher — character who makes the lack known and sends the hero off.
3. The (magical) helper — helps the hero in their quest.
4. The princess or prize and her father — the hero deserves her throughout the story but is unable to marry her because of an unfair evil, usually because of the villain. The hero's journey is often ended when he marries the princess, thereby beating the villain.
5. The donor — prepares the hero or gives the hero some magical object.
6. The hero or victim/seeker hero — reacts to the donor, weds the princess.
7. False hero — takes credit for the hero’s actions or tries to marry the princess.
8. Father of the Princess. Rewards the hero! He is part of the family that the Princess belongs to.

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Six Guns and Society, Will Wright Narrative Theory

In Six Guns and Society, Will Wright (1975) sets out to explain the popularity of the Western. The 

popularity might be attributed to interest in a ‘unique and colourful’ era of American history. 

However, the period of history in which Westerns are located only lasted from 1860 to 1890, which was much  shorter than the settling of the Eastern seaboard that lasted 130 years. 

For Wright, the key to understanding the popularity of the Western and for interpreting Westerns is to see it as a contemporary myth. The appeal of the Western is that it encompasses a variety of ways of life with clear-cut conflicts of interest and values that are available as a vehicle for myth. to tell viewers about themselves and they way they live within their society.

Narrative Units in Westerns:

• The villains threaten the society. 
• The hero defeats the villains. 
• The society is safe. 
• The society accepts the hero. 
• The hero loses or gives up his special status. 
• Wright said that myths in stories bind us to a social order

Task 1: Watch Wallace and Gromit and identify the narrative theories you have been introduced to.