The Theory of Narrative

"Narrative is a chain of events in a cause-effect relationship occurring isn time" - BORDWELL & THOMPSON 

Todorovs narrative theory is one which is typically followed by the majority of film and video, however there are some exceptions.

Todorovs structure follows a linear structure, it goes from A to B to C to D. Todorovs theory starts with a state of equilibrium, everything is normal, although Todorovs typically based this on fairy tales and the equilibrium would generally be in the form of "once upon a time....", the state of equilibrium doesn't always have to be in a positive state, it could begin negative, with the protagonist in a state of despair.

Then comes the disruption of equilibrium, this is when something upsets the normal balance of life. Recognition of the disruption occurs when the disruption directly effects the hero, causing the protagonist to attempt to repair the disruption, typically the hero will then go on his quest in an attempt to restore the disruption. Todorovs Narrative Theory ends when the equilibrium is resorted, however not exactly back to the original way it was. "...and they lived happily ever after"

Narratives don't always need to follow a linear structure. Sometimes, especially in modern film and video, narratives will use a non-linear structure, this is when then narrative is not chronological. Non-linear structures can include Multi Stranded structures, where different strands of narrative are woven together. Narratives are also sometimes Fragmented, where there are different parts of narratives that may not be necessarily be woven together in any order. A typical narrative convention is often flashbacks or flash forwards, segments that portray something that has happened in the past or may happen in the future. Narrative range is also a main feature of narrative, whether you chose to have an unrestricted narration, where there are no limits to the information presented, and restricted narration which only offers minimal information regarding the narrative.

Lily Allens "Smile"is an example of a music video which uses a "linear narrative structure" and follows quite close to Todorovs theory, despite cross cutting between the narrative and the artist, the narrative follows a cause and effect and tells a "story". The plot manages to follow the majority of Todorovs steps. Although the beginning state of equilibrium see's the artist somewhat "depressed" and "lonely" after a breakup, gorging herself on comfort food.

The break-up which is mentioned through the lyrics "you were Fucking that girl next door, what you do that for"this could be the disruption of equilibrium which is recognised by the protagonist, in this case the artist. The protagonist then goes out to "restore this disruption", this restoration is done in the form of revenge, the artist pays people to make the life of her ex-partner unbearable, mugging him, breaking into his home, destroying his records he needs for his job and the artist even spikes his drink with "pills".

 

 

 This causes the "antagonist" to become "desperate" and "embarrassed" all for the enjoyment of the artist. The equilibrium is then restored as Lily Allen is much more happy and has a positive attitude at the end of the video.

Ed Sheeran's "The A Team" is another example of a music video which follows Todorovs theory. However this video mixes in both a non-linear and linear narrative structure. The video begins with what we don't know is actually after the ending. We see the protagonist looking over herself crying and then a linear narrative is used throughout the song to show how the protagonist is driven towards an upsetting form of restored equilibrium.

The initial state of equilibrium shows the protagonist, who is homeless, living on the streets, sleeping in a park and selling "The Big Issue". This is a much more negative take on Todorovs original theory, as the equilibrium isn't necessarily good.

 

 Although there isn't a clear indication of what disrupts the equilibrium, I would assume it to be homeless life getting to the protagonist, as she is seen crying and sitting in a state of despair.

 

The protagonist attempts to repair the disruption by prostituting herself, in order to buy drugs. Restoration of equilibrium comes when the protagonist overdoses, and what we saw at the beginning of the video was an "outer body experience". Although this is a very negative take on Todorovs theory it still follows the steps in order to build a narrative, and although the equilibrium isn't necessarily good, the protagonist still sets out on a "quest" in order to rid herself of homeless life.

 

 

 

Radio Heads "Just" is my most favourite example of a linear structure. It uses a similar cross cutting to Lily Allens "Smile", cutting in between the narrative and the artist performing. It doesn't necessarily challenge Todorovs theory, other than the attempt to repair the equilibrium isn't carried out by the protagonist, but those around him.
EQUILIBRIUM: the protagonist is depressed and isolated shown through shots of the protagonist and through facial expressions.

DISRUPTION OF EQUILIRBIUM: this is when the roles of characters shift in the music video, the diruption occurs when the male protagonist lies down on a concrete pavement in the middle of the city.

RECOGNITION OF THE DISRUPTION: another male character trips over the prtagonists torso, this is when members of the public become directly involved in the narrative.

 

 

 

ATTEMPT TO REPAIR DISRUPTION: as more characters enter the frame they all set out to question the man, to discover the reason why he is lying down.

 

EQULIBRIUM IS RESOTRED: the man eventually reluctantly tells his 'audience' causing them all to lie down on the ground as he is.

 

What I love about this music video is it challenges the most necessary principle to a video, it needs to be resolved. Throughout the music videos subtitles are used to play out the scene, the audience is engrossed in why this man is lying down and watch intently. This video uses a restricted narrative range, as the subtitles cut off when the protagonist reveals why he is lying down, the audience is left in the uknown and it is never resolved, opening the video up to audience interpretation.

However, more and more modern music videos are challenging basic narrative theories with the use of non-linear structures. Cold Play's 'The Scientist', cleverly twists a linear narrative to create a non-linear narrative. The video plays in reverse, and although a clear story is told, the audience are shown the end at the beginning. Therefore Todorovs Theory of Narrative is also played in reverse. The concept is quite clever and typically fits in with music videos not wanting to reveal too much. The reversed narrative also fits in nicely with the lyrics "back to the start". 

Ed Sheeran's 'Lego House' also uses a non-linear structure, however this one is multi stranded. The narrative is seperated, and these then weave together to creat an overall story. Despite being non-linear 'Lego House' manages to follow the concept of an equillibrium, although it is not revealed at the beginning the protagonist, the very fine Rupert Grint, actually has an obsession over the artist. The initial Equilibrium is the protagonists quiet life, (lets pretend we don't know he's obsessed), we believe he is singer song writer, performing on stage and travelling on tour busses. Disruption occurs when the protagonist becomes overwhelmed, this is suggested by the change in tempo in the music. He is removed from the stage by security guards and he is shown sneaking off the tour bus. This is when it is revealed that the prtagonist has an obsession, we see he has hung pictures of the artist and made life size dolls of him. Equlibrium is restored when the protagonist is lead away from the stage by security and briefly meets the artist Ed Sheeran as he is escorted away.

MODULAR NARRATIVES IN CONTEMPORARY CINEMA: ALLAN CAMERON

Modular narratives articulate a sense of time as divisable and subject to manipulation. Cameron identified four different types of modular narrative.

ANACHRONIC: involve the use of flashbacks and or flashforwards, with no clear dominance between any of the narrative threads. These narratives also often repeat scenes directly or via a different perspective. Christina Aguilera's video "Hurt" uses flashbacks to her childhood when she was taken to the circus by her father.

FORKING-PATH: juxtapose alternative versions of a story, showing the possible outcomes that might result from small changes in a single event or group of events. The forking path narrative introduces a number of plotlines that usually contradict one another. An example of this in terms of film, (as I found it terribly difficult to come across such a music video,) would be The Butterfly Effect, starring Ashton Kutcher, who changes events in his past so that the new outcome is more positive.

SPLIT SCREEN: their modularity is articulated along a spatial rather than temporal lines. These films divide the screen into two or more frames, juxtaposing events within the same visual field in a sustained fashion.

EPISODIC: narratives are organised as an abstract series or narrative anthology. Abstract series type of modular narrative is charatcterized by the operation of a non-narrative formal system which appears to dictate the organization of narrative elements such as a asequence. Anthology consists of a series of shorter tales which are apparently disconnected but share a random similarity. An example of this would be the film "The Hours", about three women, from three different periods, they share the similarity of an ordinary and mundane life but that is where the similarities stop

VALADIMIR PROPP is another narrative theorist, and suggest that characters took on the role of narrative. Propp came up with seven different character types:

The Hero: typically male, he restores the narratives equilibrium often by embarking on a quest. The hero is the texts central character.

The Villain: typically creates the narratives disruption.

The Donor: gives the hero something, it may be an object, information or advice, which helps in resolution of the narrative.

The Helper: aids the hero in the task of restoring equillibrium

The Princess: is the character most threatened by the villain and has to be saved, by the hero at the climax.

The Dispatcher: sends the hero on his tasl

The False Hero: appears to be good but is revealed at the narratives end to be bad.

 

Although these characters are very typical in fairy tales, in modern music videos we see very little of these types of characters driving the narrative. Typically anti-heros are used and Villains have now been reduced to emotional dillemas that the hero will face rather than an actual character.