Post 5: Narrative Theory

Narrative in terms of media is the specific order of events or facts in order to create the desired meaning/ give the audience satisfaction. This means that the audience are given a beginning, middle and an end in order to create a structure that we can easily understand and have grown accustomed too. 


 It is easy to confuse Narrative with story, but the main difference is that story is more like a summery of event and not how the story is told which is more commonly known as the narrative.

One of the most highly regarded theories is that of Todorov. He suggests that every narrative has the same simple structure of equilibrium, disequilibrium and then return to a state of equilibrium. 


This is a simplified version of a five step theory.
1. Equilibrium
2. Disruption of order
3. Recognition of disruption or a disequilibrium
4. Attempt to repair the disequilibrium
5. New equilibrium


Narrative theory in an existing film:
Another well recognized narrative theory is Volger's 12 Steps of the Hero's Journey which can be applied to The Wizard of Oz shown in the table below:
The 12 steps of the Hero's Journey: Wizard of Oz


This further links to Todorov as they both indicate change from equilibrium to disequilibrium and returning to equilibrium.