Research: Narrative Theory - Ms Begum

Research: Narrative Theory - Ms Begum

What is Narrative?

Narrative is the storyline that takes place in the film. The importance of storyline is because without it, the film wouldn't make any sense to the audience. The film should be based on a set of ideas and should follow this throughout so it could make sense. 

Propp

Was a Russian critic and literary theorist, he analysed Russian fairytales in the 1920s. He stated that the characters and their actions fit in perfectly to their defined roles.

• The Hero - A character that seeks for better things
• The Villain - Who opposes or actively blocks the hero's quest
• The Donor - Who provides an object with magical properties
• The Dispatcher - Who sends the hero on his/her quest via message
• The False Hero - Who disrupts the hero's success by making false claims
• The Helper - Who aids the hero
• The Princess - Acts as the reward for the hero and the object of the villain's plots
• Her Father - Who acts to to reward the hero for his effort

Todorov

Bulgarian literary theorist claims most narratives start with a state where the protagonist is happy. Then this state is interfered with, by an outside force which has to be destroyed in order for things to go back to normal.

• Equilibrium - disequilibrium - New Equilibrium 

Barthes

Was a French semiologist and suggested that narrative works with five different codes which activate the reader to make sense of it. (denotation and connotation) 

• Symbolic (Connotation)
• Semic (Denotation)
• Enigma code - This code refers to mystery within a text. Clues are dropped, but no clear answers are given. Enigmas within the narrative make the audience want to know more.
• Action code - This code contains sequential elements of action in the text. Proairetic elements add suspense to the text.
• Semantic code - This code refers to parts within the text that suggests or referes to additional meanings. Elements of the semantic code are called Semes. The seme has a connotative function in the text. It has an extra layer of meaning in addition to its literal meaning
• Symbolic code - This code is about symbolism within the text. It exercises opposites to show contrast and create greater meaning, creating tension, drama and character development.
• Referential code - This code refers to anything in the text which refers to an external body of knowlegde such as scientific, historical and cultural knowledge.

• Thriller Narratives:

Thrillers tend to have Barthes structure as they usually have nearly all five of Barthes narrative codes. For example the film paranormal activity portrays The Enigma code as there is unsolved mystery throughout the film, and also creates suspense such as the Action code.

Conclusion

Since learning about the Narratives and which ones are conventional for a thriller, in my opening I will try to use the one which is most fitting for a thriller film, so from what I have learnt, that would be Barthes narrative structure.