Tzvetan Todorov's narrative theory, introduced in 1969, describes the five main stages of most films and stories. He believes that there is a narrative pattern, and that most stories start in a state of equilibrium, and it is from this point on that the equilibrium is disrupted by an event or person. The disruption is often addressed and there may be multiple attempts to resolve the cause of the disruption in order to return to or find a new equilibrium.
1. Equilibrium
2. Disruption that may be caused by an event or person
3. Recognition of the disruption
4. Attempting to restore equilibrium
5. Initial or new equilibrium is achieved
Applying Todorov's Theory
Mulan (1998)
Equilibrium
In the story of Mulan, the initial equilibrium is established as the young maiden to be matched to a partner, and being with her family that consisted of her mother and father, although this equilibrium is short lived.
Disruption that may be caused by an event or person
This equilibrium is disrupted when Mulan is shown to be rejected by the matchmaker and additionally finds herself in a distressing situation in her home, when a man from each family is called to fight in the war against the Huns. The only man from the family that there is to fight is Mulan's father who has become weak and old, which causes Mulan to become concerned for the wellbeing of her parent.
Recognition of the disruption
In response to the situation, Mulan chooses to take her father's place and disguises herself as a man (as only males were recruited to fight in the war) and prays to her ancestors for luck and protection. She undergoes training and hides amongst the men in the army.
Attempting to restore equilibrium
As Mulan is hiding amongst the men in the army, she survives the training camp and then proceeds to help fight the Huns, still in disguise. She is able to save Shang's life and it seems as if she has defeated the Huns, however it is later revealed that they had survived the attack. Mulan is hurt and as she is being treated, her true gender is revealed and she is dismissed from the army and told to return home. She is the one to discover that the Huns had not yet been defeated, and proceeds to go back to Shang to warn him, but he doesn't listen to her. However, the Huns are eventually defeated, and Mulan restores honour in her family name.
Initial or new equilibrium is achieved
The story ends with Mulan saving China from the Huns, despite the multiple setbacks she had faced. She returns home to her parents and a new equilibrium is achieved.
The story ends with Mulan saving China from the Huns, despite the multiple setbacks she had faced. She returns home to her parents and a new equilibrium is achieved.
Applying Todorov's Theory to a Horror Film
Scream (1996)
Scream is well known for subverting the conventions of the horror genre, although is does - to an extent, follow Todorov's Narrative Theory.
Equilibrium
Although as the film begins, the audience are presented with a scene of a gruesome attack, the main character, Sidney, is introduced and shown to be in a state of equilibrium. Her boyfriend, Billy, sneaks into her room and attempts to have sex with her although Sidney makes it clear that she isn't yet ready for that. She lives with her father, who tells her in this scene that he is going out of town. The audience also learn that her mother was murdered, and Sidney placed Cotton Weary responsible - even though he claims to be innocent.
Although as the film begins, the audience are presented with a scene of a gruesome attack, the main character, Sidney, is introduced and shown to be in a state of equilibrium. Her boyfriend, Billy, sneaks into her room and attempts to have sex with her although Sidney makes it clear that she isn't yet ready for that. She lives with her father, who tells her in this scene that he is going out of town. The audience also learn that her mother was murdered, and Sidney placed Cotton Weary responsible - even though he claims to be innocent.
Disruption that may be caused by an event or person
It is revealed that two students that attend the same school as Sidney had been brutally murdered, just days before the anniversary of her mother's death. Throughout the course of the film, there are multiple attacks of gruesome nature.
It is revealed that two students that attend the same school as Sidney had been brutally murdered, just days before the anniversary of her mother's death. Throughout the course of the film, there are multiple attacks of gruesome nature.
Recognition of the disruption
The police put a town-wide curfew in place as they investigate the murders in attempt to catch the killer(s). Sidney avoids staying alone, and decides to stay with her best friend, Tatum, whilst her father is out of town. Sidney is attacked and finds her boyfriend Billy at the door seconds later, and assumes that he is responsible for her attack. She calls the police and Billy is taken in, although he claims to be innocent.
The police put a town-wide curfew in place as they investigate the murders in attempt to catch the killer(s). Sidney avoids staying alone, and decides to stay with her best friend, Tatum, whilst her father is out of town. Sidney is attacked and finds her boyfriend Billy at the door seconds later, and assumes that he is responsible for her attack. She calls the police and Billy is taken in, although he claims to be innocent.
Attempting to restore equilibrium
The investigation of the murders remains ongoing as the list of victims increases. Billy is eventually released, and confronts Sidney about the situation, and they decide to forgive eachother. As mentioned prior, a town-wide curfew had been put in place and Sidney and Tatum are invited to Stu's (Tatum's boyfriend, Billy's best friend) place for a party. There are more distressing events including the death of multiple characters, and the killers are revealed to be Billy and Stu. They reveal their plan to kill Sidney and her father as well as their motive.
Initial or new equilibrium is achieved
Finally, Sidney is able to overcome both Billy and Stu, and save her own life as well as her father's. Billy and Stu are both killed, so the hysteria in the town comes to an end. The news reported, Gale, reports the story as a 'real-life scary movie'.
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Initial or new equilibrium is achieved
Finally, Sidney is able to overcome both Billy and Stu, and save her own life as well as her father's. Billy and Stu are both killed, so the hysteria in the town comes to an end. The news reported, Gale, reports the story as a 'real-life scary movie'.
-S
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