Narrative Theory - Part 2

Bordwell and Thompson
Narrative, as defined by Bordwell, is a chain of events occurring in time and space. In creating a narrative there must be an action, which begins as a series of events that occur over a period of time in one or more spaces and finally end in a changed state.

Story time: The earliest event referred to in a film to the latest event.
- The story time creates a whole world that exists even when the characters are not on screen.   Examples: Pulp fiction, Eastenders (  ), Lord of the Rings.

Plot time: The earliest event that the audience see in the film to the latest event.
- Plot time is necessary in order to show a complete story within the limited screening time of a film. Examples: Pulp fiction, Another 24 hours, Gladiator, Cloud Atlas, The Terminator, etc.

Screen time: The actual playing time of the film.

Propp's Theory (1928)
Vladimir Propp’s (1928)  the Morphology of the Folk Tale.

- Identified 32 categories of action which he called “functions.”

- Identified a set of  basic “spheres of action” or character roles.

- The character roles help to provide structure for the (media) text.

- The character roles perform a certain function.

The Functions

Preparation: A community, kingdom, family; an ordered state of being.

A member of a family /community leaves home (the hero is introduced as a unique person within the tribe, whose needs may not be met by remaining)

A warning is given to the community or its leaders/ a rule is imposed on the hero (a command NOT to do something e.g.'don't go there', 'go to this place’)

The hero ignores the warning/the rule is broken.

The villain attempts to discover something about the victim.

The villain discovers the required information.

The villain attempts to deceive the victim to gain an advantage (trickery; villain disguised, tries to win confidence of victim)

The victim is deceived by the villain and unwittingly helps him/her (or the enemy)

The Complication

A state of disorder. Villain harms a member of the family/community.

One of the family/community desires something.

Misfortune or lack is made known, (hero is dispatched to find what is desired).

The hero plans action against the villain.

The Transference

Hero leaves home.

Hero is tested, interrogated, attacked etc; he meets the challenger and receives a magical agent or a helper.

Hero reacts to actions of future donor (withstands/fails the test, frees captive, reconciles disputants, performs service, uses adversary's powers against them).

Hero arrives at or is transferred to the place where he will fulfil his quest.

The Struggle

There is a struggle in a specific setting between hero and villain.

Hero is branded (wounded/marked, receives ring or scarf).

Villain is defeated (killed in combat, defeated in contest, banished).

The state of disorder is resolved (object of search distributed, spell broken, slain person revived, captive freed)

The Return

Hero returns.

Hero is pursued (pursuer tries to kill, eat, undermine the hero).

Hero escapes or is rescued from pursuit (obstacles delay pursuer, hero hides or is hidden, hero saved from attempt on his/her life).

Hero arrives at home or at some other place and is not recognised.

False hero presents unfounded claims.

Difficult task proposed to the hero (trial by ordeal, riddles, test of strength/endurance, other tasks)

The task is accomplished.

The Recognition

Hero is recognised (by mark, brand, or thing given to him/her).

False hero or villain is exposed.

Hero is given a new appearance (is made whole, handsome, new garments etc)

Villain is punished.

Hero marries and ascends the throne (is rewarded/promoted).

Propp's Character Types

Hero: Reacts to the donor and saves the princess, often resulting in them falling in love with the princess. 

The villain: Locked in a constant struggle with the hero, often trying to harm princess. 

False hero: May appear good but has an ulterior motive, or attempts to take credit for the hero's actions. 

The helper: Assists the hero with their quest, often referred to as their 'sidekick'.

The princess: Needs assistance from the hero, usually because they are in some form of danger, typically the princess is the victim within the narrative. 

The donor: Gives the hero an object that usually has magical property or a piece of information that helps them prepare for what is to come. 

The dispatcher: Is the character who sends that hero on their mission or quest.

The father: Acts to reward the hero for his efforts. 

The Lion King Examples

- The Villain - Scar

- The Donor - Rafiki

- The Helper - Timon+Pumbaa

- The Princess - Nala

- Her Father (in this case mother) - Sarafina*

- The Dispatcher - Nala**

- The Hero - Simba

- The False Hero - Scar***

Guardians of the Galaxy
The Hero - Star-lord
Star-Lord is the main Hero. He ventures on a quest in search for an Orb which then sends him on a quest to play a hero role to save the Galaxy.
The Villain - Ronan the Accuser
The False Hero -
The False Villain - Drax
Drax is a False Villain as he has many traits that many people would relate to a villain. for example, he is filled with rage and is searching for revenge. This is an obvious trait for a classic villain. We find out however that he is actually a part of the Guardians and is also fighting to save the galaxy.
The Helper - Gamora, Drax, Groot and Rocket
All of these characters have traits that act as helper roles towards Star-Lord. However they also play hero roles within the film as they are all fighting to save the galaxy, like Star-Lord.
The Princess - Honor and Respect / Friends
As star-lord is classed as a villain to other characters within the film, at the end of the film he earns honor and respect by saving the galaxy. His Friends are also the "princess'" and acts as a reward for Star-Lord as previously he was alone.
The Donor - Collector
The Dispatcher - The Orb
The Father - Corpsman Dey

Levi Strauss (1958)
He argued that all meaning-making, not just narratives, depend on binary oppositions – a conflict between two sides/qualities which are opposites. For example; There are many Binary Opposites within the Western Genre, Mythology and also Advertisements. 

Western:
Cowboys  -  Indians 
Settlers  -  Natives 
Christian  -  Pagan 
Domestic  -  Savage 
Weak  -  Strong 
Garden  -  Wilderness 
The law  -  Outlaws 
Helpless  -  Dangerous 
Clothed  -  Naked 
Whites  -  Redskins 
Telegraph  -  Smoke Signals 

Adverts:
Spots  -  Clearasil
Dirty  -  Persil
Young  -  Old
Dandruff  -  Head & Shoulders

Mythology:
God - Devil
Good  -  Evil.

Batman and The Joker
Both Batman and The Joker are binary opposites for many reasons. The two obvious reasons are that simply Batman is the good guy and that The Joker is the Villain. Despite this, there are more reasons. For example: The joker kills people and Batman doesn't, he believes in justice but The Joker does not.


Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader

Luke and Darth Vader are a classic example of Binary Opposites. Darth Vader is the Villain and Luke is the Hero. Vader puts the princess in danger where Luke saves princess from Vader. Another thing that makes them binary opposites are that Luke fights for the rebels, a team who are trying to save the galaxy. Whereas Vader is a part of the empire, a group who are trying to take over the galaxy and destroy it.


Jack Skellington and Oogie Boogie
Jack and Oogie are another example of Binary Opposites. Jack is the leader of Halloween Town, and tries his best to make sure everyone is happy. He has a lover known as Sally. Oogie envies Jack and wants to take over Halloween town. He captures Sally and Jack has to rescue her. This proves that Jack Skellington and Oogie Boogie are Binary Opposites.