Behold the longest Post on here
What is narrative?
What is narrative?
Its the way and how the story and journey is told, with its simple construction of Beginning, Middle and End. But of course there are the may narrative theories to get us thinking differently.
Be warned of the long examples ahead.
Lets start with Todorov, Tzvetan Todorov. A man who proposed a most basic structure for all narratives, which we are able to see in all TV programs and films.
And what better example than the Simpsons, episode being 'Flaming Moe's'
All is well in Springfield
A Disruption of Equilibrium
Homer is in the bar and gives Moe a new drink recipe.
this becomes popular which leads Moe in taking all the credit, and the money made from the beverage.
A Recognition of Said Disruption
Homer goes a tad mad in realising that, what Moe has done is wrong, and goes to set things straight.
An Attempt to Repair Disruption
Homer arrives at the bar and reveals the secret recipe to the addictive drink, causing Flaming Moe's to be less popular.
A Reinstatement of Equilibrium
Moe's bar goes back to serving its normal customers, Moe and Homer are now friends again and Springfield ends up going back to how it was at the start, minus the fact the fictional drinks recipe is widely available
This form of narrative is most useful to these type of shows as it ensures no major changes to place and characters will happen that will effect later episodes. It's all good. Something happens....but in the end its allll alright.
Another theorist you say! Well next i have Vladimir Propp, who's theory was formed within the early 20th century. He founded it upon his studies on Russian fairy tales discovering 8 reoccurring character types/roles in every tale.
Credit goes to this website http://www.adamranson.plus.com/Propp.htm,(check it all out) for helping me understand the roles and going into a little more depth on the theory than i could ever imagine i could on this blog, without bundles of worlds and images mixing it all up that is.
Character types
- The Hero – a character that seeks something
- 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 a 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 reward the hero for his effort
Lets illustrate with good old Star Wars
The Narrative then complies to this list
- Preparation - Luke buys C3P0 and R2D2
- Complication - Luke's Aunt and Uncle are killed by Darth Vader's Orders, message from captured princess is revealed about plans for the Rebellion, Luke leaves with Obi-Wan to ensure plans are received, rescue princess and take vengeance on dead relatives.
- Transference- Obi-Wan gives Luke Light sabre to become a Jedi, Hire Han Solo for aid, planet is destroyed, ship captured.
- Struggle - Fight with Darth Vader, Obi-Wan is killed, Luke saves Princess
- Return - Escapes and goes to Rebel Base, New ask is set out to destroy the Death Star, Luke achieves this.
- Recognition- returns to princess and receives reward.
First off there may be alot of triangles in the next part, of which i hope i can correctly explain which an image from the generous google images.
Freytag's triangle, or Dramatic Structure, is divided into five parts seen on the triangle, the length of an edge is determined by whatever edge of the triangle has a greater impact in the story, this normally being the rising action. The theory is similar to Todorov's yet can be seen as both more simple or more complex, for we have
the introduction- to the story
Rising Action- conflict, obstacles, and the hero attempting to achieve task.
Climax- changes for better or worse, normally the most dramatic and shortest part.
Falling Action- climax has ended, resolution is being found.
Sometimes when we watch a film we can realise that it may seem short or for example the boss battle in an action film or game is ended rather quickly, and it is the journey that leads up to the boss that has all the adventure and screen time. introduction
For example in Dream Works The Road to El Dorado, We have the character introductions and introduction to the map.
Rising Action
Rising Action
Rising Action
Ball Game, and character conflicts
The the climax which is defeating the high priest, which takes up about 1/4 of the film. it then goes onto its falling down and final suspense then ending. There is alot more happening before the boss battle, we see adventure and character developments and relationships and conflicts, which in turn develop the story itself.
Back to what i was saying earlier about Freytags triangle being complex, if your still with me after my ramblings, is that we can have one triangle for the main story line, but then there are sub story plots and narratives which link of to, and in some cases its possible to go on forever making triangles, or Dramatic Structures, for each plot line.
For example if i was to choose a Role Playing Game like Oblivion, and illustrate the different stories made and side quests, there would probably be this many triangles, portraying the many stories you can follow. and that would be cruel.
Instead here's an example from my seminar class on, once again the Simpsons. Where they go to London. Basically the main plot line is going to London, where homer upsets the queen but all is okay by the end. (Following the above structure.) However there are sub plot lines, such as Bart creating a museum, Grandpa finding a lover from his past and Bart and Lisa running off, each of these technically have a beginning, a middle and an end.
And that's about as much as i can say about these theories, though i must say i quite like the idea of going a bit mad and using Freytags structure, ad exploring all the side stories and their own structures.
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