1. Narrative theories
By Madeleine Stidder

2. Todorov’s Theory
Todorov proposed a basic structure for
all narratives for all films and
programmes. Todorov suggested that
conventional narratives are
structured in five stages:

3.  A state of calm at the start
 A disturbance of the calm by some action
 An acknowledgment that there has been a
disturbance
 An attempt to repair the disturbance
 A return to a state of calm

4.  Todorova stated that films and programmes
begin with a calm period. Usually an
innocent character in a lovely setting in
horror films for example in ‘Scream’ the girl
is home cooking popcorn in a beautifully
decorated large suburban house.

5.  Then there will be a disturbance of the
calm, which is the period of unsettlement.
Usually by something evil in horror films for
example in ‘Scream’ the scary telephone
calls and murders.

6.  This is followed by a renewed state of
peace and harmony for the main innocent
character and usually involves a hero
character to battle the evil and restore the
calm state, for example in ‘Scream’ Sydney
is the hero who battles against the slasher.

7.  With a new calmness brings the chaos to
an end and in ‘Scream’ this means the end
of the movie when the survivors are
reunited.

8. This is the simplest form of narrative and
sometimes referred to as ‘Classic’ or
‘Hollywood’ narrative.
This type of narrative structure is very
familiar to everyone as this can be applied
to many mainstream film narratives in
particular in the horror genre.

9. Propp’s Theory
 Vladimir Propp was another theorist who
came up with a theory about stories and
fairy tales in the early twentieth Century.
His theory suggested there were 31
functions of stories.

10. Propp’s main functions
 · Characters,
 · Narrative function,
 · Complications,
 · Transference,
 · Struggle,
 · Return
 · Recognition.

11.  Propp thought all stories were either linear
or non-linear stories. Linear is when the
story is in order of beginning, middle and
ending. The story is easy to follow in terms
of sequence and not too demanding for the
audience. Non- linear is when the story isn’t
in order of beginning, middle and ending.
The story may be harder to follow as it is
not in sequence and make be more difficult
for the audience .

12.  Here is how Propp’s theory can be applied to the film Shrek based
on classic fairy tales.
Characters
 The hero who’s role is seeking something – Shrek seeks princess
 The villain who’s role is to opposes the hero- Dragon
 The dispatcher who’s role is to sends the hero on his way – The King
 The helper who’s role is to give support to the hero - donkey
 The princess who’s role is to the reward for the hero but also needs
to be protected from the villain- Princess Fiona
The way the audience can identify the character type as it is easy to
guess what they will do because each character will have a scope
of the action. For example the hero will save the maiden, defeat the
villain, marry the maiden.

13. Narrative Functions
 A member of the family leaves home –
Princess Fiona locked away
 The prohibition or rule is broken
Complication
 The villain harms a member of the family
– princess Fiona cursed to be an orge

14. Transference
 The hero leaves home – Shrek leaves home
 The hero is transferred to the general location of
the object of his mission or quest – Shrek leaves
the swamp goes to castle
Struggle
 The initial misfortune or lack is put right –
 Fiona chooses to stay an Orge

15. Return
 The hero returns
Recognition
 The hero is recognised