Narative Theory

a narative is the way the story is told. considering the order the audience is told the information in the story, any narative devices that are used, the structure of the plot and the character types used. a narrative isn't the story it, narratives recount the events of a story.

Syd Field's three act structure

the theory there are three acts to most stories 

act 1

25%

set up

turning point

act 2 

50%

development

turning point 2

act 3 

25%

the resolution

The first act is usually used for exposition, to establish the main characters, their relationships and the world they live in

The second act, also referred to as "rising action", typically depicts the protagonist's attempt to resolve the problem initiated by the first turning point, only to find him- or herself in ever worsening situations

The second act, also referred to as "rising action", typically depicts the protagonist's attempt to resolve the problem initiated by the first turning point, only to find him- or herself in ever worsening situations

for example:

Torodov's theory of disequilibrium

similar to Syd Feild's theory, 

equilibrium - disequilibrium - re-equilibrium

the equilibrium is when everything is normal, or at peace. the disequalibrium is the problem, where everything goes wrong, like a character dying or being seperated. the main issues and problem of the story. the re-equilibrium is the solution, finding the way back, coming to terms with the loss of a loved one

Propps Theory of action

the theory that there are specific charcter types in stories.

The villain (struggles against the hero)

The donor (prepares the hero or gives the hero some magical object)

The (magical) helper (helps the hero in the quest)

The princess (person the hero marries, often sought for during the narrative)

The false hero (perceived as good character in beginning but emerges as evil)

The dispatcher (character who makes the lack known and sends the hero off)

The hero [AKA victim/seeker/paladin/winner, reacts to the donor, usually marries the princess

Levi Strauss' binary opposites

Stauss claims that narratives are centred around binary opposites. polar opposite like good/evil, small/big, light/dark

Rolamnd Barthes' codes

Barthes identified a number of codes used in narratives to allow audiences to understand plot development, 

the three main codes being:

action codes : things that happen dictate an action that will occur (placing characters hand on a gun : likely they will shoot)

enigma codes : things that are seen that raise questions for the audience ( a letter falling out of a characters bag : who will pick it up? what does the letter say? what will happen?)

cultural codes : objects or places that are seen that allow the audience to identify quickly with a specific culture (the eifle tower to link with france, a yellow taxi with new york)