NARRATIVE THEORY

Narrative theory 1- Claude-Levi Strauss (1958)

Strauss suggests that binary opposition and the idea that things/objects/qualities that are directly parallel and opposite help to understand and fuel each other.

This idea can be applied to media products and the characters within them. For example, a protagonist could be incredibly kind and thoughtful, directly contrasting an antagonist who could be heartless and horrible, e.g. Batman is the protagonist going against the Joker who is the antagonist. 

Narrative Theory 2- Pam Cook (1985)

Pam Cook argues that traditional narratives “have a linearity of cause and effect, with an overall trajectory of enigma situation”.

Basically, this means something happens and it causes effects for the characters, A problem will be solved at the end. For example, Thanos’ plan in Avengers infinity war is to wipe out half the universes population, he succeeds in infinity war but in the following movie (End game) it is all solved. 

Narrative theory 3- Tzvetan Todorov (1977) Conventional structure 

An example for this would Star Wars as the protagonist want peace but the dark side keep disrupting the hero.

Narrative theory 3- Unconventional narratives

Non linear narratives and circular narratives have a structure that is not so straightforward.

A non-linear narrative can move backwards and forwards.

Narrative theory 4- Roland Barthes 

Roland Barthes came up with denotation and connotation said that narratives can be understood through code.

Enigma code is where there is mystery. 

Action code is where there's a series of events where we know what's gonna happen next.

Propp (1975) Character roles

Protagonist

Antagonist

Princess character