Narrative

         Narrative

The narrative is the way a story is being told. Todorov came up with the idea that all stories go through the same 5 stages.

Todorov's 5 Stages of Narrative are:

1) Equilibrium - all is in order, 'normal' and happy
2) Disruption - a disruption to the equilibrium by the means of an event/action
3) Recognition - there is recognition that a disruption has taken place
4) Repair - an attempt to repair the damage caused by the disruption
5) New equilibrium - the problem is solved and we return to a new type of equilibrium

Example 1: Little Red Riding Hood

Equilibrium - Little Red Riding Hood is skipping through the woods on her way to her Grandma's house, with her basket of 'goodies.'

Disruption - The wolf approaches her where she is quite off put. He dresses up as her Grandma and Little Red Riding Hood is confused.

Recognition - Little Red Riding Hood notices that it's not her Grandma.

Repair - The Lumberjacks kills the wolf so Little Red Riding Hood is safe.

New Equilibrium - The Grandma and Little Red Riding Hood are safe and continue to live a happily ever after.



Example 2: Arctic Monkeys Music Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SEukS2YN9B8

Equilibrium - A man is walking down the road by minding his own business. 

Disruption - He notices a woman is trying to commit suicide as she drops her shoe down a nearby building, so he runs up the stairs to save her.

Recognition - He notices that she is obsessed with him in a cafe when she tried to kiss him.

New Equilibrium - Another man is walking down the road as she again tries to commit suicide, dropping her shoe; the process repeats.

Taken

I love using the example of Taken as it fits in with are group film genre: Horror. 

Equilibrium: The daughter goes on a trip to Paris with one of her friends, her father is apprehensive at first but later comes to terms with it, The daughter is thrilled.

Disruption: At the airport her and her friend are introduced to a young man who they are fond of, he ask's if they cant meet up later and they agree. Later that day, the daughter sees that all is not well, after her and her friend are later 'Taken'. Her father immediately acts on the mission to save her.

Recognition: Finding out through a phone call  he continues the mission to rescue her, fighting all types of bad people in the sex trafficking industry. Finding her dead friends he knows he has little time to find his daughter.

New Equilibrium: The dad finally finds his daughter, she is rescued and returns to America. There relationship improve and she continues to dream of a singing career.