Narrative theory - Todorov

Learning Objective: To apply Todorov's narrative stages to the film The Wrong Trousers

Key words: Todorov, Equilibrium, disruption, repair, message

Todorov's Narrative Stages

There are five stages:

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-instatement of equilibrium where matters are sorted

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

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

possibly changed people.

In the animated feature film Toy Story the events would be: 
1. Woody being the leader of a group of toys. 
2. Buzz Lightyear arrives. 
3. Sid picking them up with “The Claw” and trying to destroy them. 
4. Woody and Buzz try to escape with the rocket. 
5. Woody and the toys have Christmas in Andy’s new home.

In the animated feature film Shrek Todorov's stages can be applied 

A children’s film based on an ‘alternative’ fairy tale, it has a relatively basic storyline and it fits well with Todorov’s theory. 

1. At the beginning of the film we find Shrek, the ogre, living quite peacefully in his house in the woods Equilibrium has been established. 

2. Soon there is a disruption to the equilibrium when Shrek finds that his home has been overrun by fairy tale creatures, which he soon finds out have been sent by the King, Lord Farquaad. 

3. This is where Shrek identifies the disruption by going to Lord Farquaad and asking for his home to be returned to its normal state. 

4. Upon arriving at Farquaad’s castle, there is an agreement between Shrek and Farquaad that Shrek’s home will be returned to normal after he goes on a dangerous quest to save a princess; an attempt to repair disruption.

5. After much danger and adventure along the way, Shrek and his partner Donkey finally resolve the issue and resolve the problem which was causing disruption to equilibrium, thus ‘saving the day’ and restoring equilibrium to his life and to the land of Dulac.

Shrek learns the lesson of tolerance. This is the message of the text.

Task 1: Apply Todorov's theory of equilibrium to the short animation, The Wrong Trousers