Narrative - Todrov's theory
- Nov 11, 2016
- 3 min read
LO: Understand Narrative and apply a theory
A Story is a series of events recorded in their chronological order
A plot is a series of events deliberately arranged so as to reveal their dramatic, thematic, and emotional significance.
A story in chronological order :
Crime conceived
Crime planned
Crime committed
Crime discovered
Detective investigates
Detective reveals
Coming to America
Initial situation :
Is the Prince of an African country and is need of a wife so moves to America
Disruption :
The woman he finds and likes in America is in a relationship with somebody else
Resolution :
He gets married to the woman who was in a relationship whom has now fallen for him
Four Brothers
Initial situation :
4 adopted brothers ; step mum was killed in Detroit
Disruption :
On the search of the perpetrator one of the brothers gets killed
Resolution :
They find the murderer who killed their mum and the reason she was killed
Brotherhood
Initial situation:
A character from the prequel's of Kidulthood and Adulthood is now trying to live his life correctly
Disruption :
Somebody from his past murder's his mum to try and get to him
Resolution:
He fights his demons and overcomes his past and the people who were trying to kill him get arrested.
Todorov's description of a narrative structure:
1. A state of equilibrium at the outset
2. A disruption of the equilibrium by some action
3. A recognition that there has been a disruption
4. An attempt to repair the disruption
5. A reinstatement of the equilibrium .
Coming to America
1. A state of equilibrium at the outset - Prince of Zamunda gets given a wife by his Father but says he wants true love and sets him self a quest to find himself a wife in Queens (New York) , America
2. A disruption of the equilibrium by some action - When he does find a woman he likes he finds out she's in a relationship with a guy who's also wealthy
3. A recognition that there has been a disruption - Although he's well aware the woman he likes is in a relationship ,her partner messes things up for them by asking her father for her hand in marriage without consulting her - consequently annoying her because she's not ready to get married
4. An attempt to repair the disruption - Because her boyfriend has already sabotaged things for him and his girlfriend. The Prince of Zamunda uses this opportunity to become close with the female called Lisa
5. A reinstatement of the equilibrium - He and Lisa after she finds out he's a Prince get married in Zamuda
Four Brothers
1. A state of equilibrium at the outset - The Four Brothers find out their adoptive mother was killed but when they found out it was intentional they all went on a journey to found out who/what/why.
2. A disruption of the equilibrium by some action - Jeremiah (One of he brothers) informs them that his construction company was failing precisely because he was not getting involved with Victor Sand that for a project to succeed he had to pay off the right people, which he initially failed to do. In his effort to restore his business and relieve pressure from himself, he tried to pay off Sweet's henchmen. As for the life insurance
3. A recognition that there has been a disruption - Back at their home, during a confrontation with Jeremiah, Sweet’s men attack the brothers. Jack is shot and killed during the attack. Bobby finds one of the gunmen still alive and questions him about who sent them. When Lieutenant Green arrives, he tells them not to worry about any legal ramifications, assuring them that it will go down as self-defense.
4. An attempt to repair the disruption - Meanwhile, the remaining brothers devise a plan to buy Victor Sweet off with the $400,000 from their mother's life insurance. When Sweet accepts, Angel sets off for Fowler's. Arriving at Fowler's, he subdues him.
5. A reinstatement of the equilibrium - Bobby and Sweet brawl, resulting in Bobby knocking Sweet unconscious. His former henchmen seal his fate after he is dropped in a hole carved into the ice, drowning him
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