Narrative Theory

Tzvetan Todorov believed in the concept of a linear plot, where there are five clear stages within a
narrative. The first stage of his theory is known as, the Equilibrium. This is the stage where there is a
mutual sense of normality and content; everything is as it should be. The second stage of the theory
is the Disruption, which exemplifies an interference of order by a certain event within the plot.
Todorovs third stage was the recognition of the disruption. This is where the characters come to
the realisation that there is a problem that has become a potential threat to their development and
journey. The fourth stage is the attempt to repair. This entails the protagonists trying to solve the
damage caused by the disruption. The final stage is the New Equilibrium, which exemplifies a
restoration of peace, where everything is as it should be.

Equilibrium- At this stage, there is a state of normality and all of the characters are content with
their lives; there is no stray form the norm. In our film, Calamity, the Equilibrium begins with the
two protagonists, Olivia and Kyle, sitting in bed. There is a feel of normality, however, both
characters begin to argue about their future together. This argument could be distinguished as a
disruption, therefore this paradoxes Todorovs theory, due to his belief that there is only one main
disruption within a plot.

Disruption of the Equilibrium- This stage consists of something running the stories equilibrium and
disrupting the calm and orderly atmosphere. Our film has a major plot twist at the end which results
in the death of our female protagonist, therefore this is our main disruption. This doesnt follow
Todorovs narrative theory, because this event occurs right at the end of the plot and therefore
would be in place of the new equilibrium. However, another disruption that leads to the main event
is the conflict between Olivia and Kyle. Olivia discusses wanting to start a family with Kyle, but he
insists they are too young to be worrying about starting a family. This therefore prompts Olivia to
leave.

Recognition of Disruption- This stage consists of the characters within the story realising the issues
at hand and the problematic effect of this; from this they begin to attempt to make things better. In
our film, Kyles recognition that he upset Olivia is exemplified through the letter she leaves him,
demonstrating her feelings about wanting a child; if Kyle doesnt figure out what he truly wants, he
will loose her.

Attempts to Repair- The protagonist then tries to repair the damage caused at this stage of the
narrative theory. In, Calamity, Olivia says that she will meet Kyle at Liverpool street station at 1:00.
In order to repair the emotional damage he caused, Kyle packs a bag and buys flowers, in order to
surprise Olivia so they can start their lives together. He believes in doing this, he will be proving to
Olivia that she was wrong about him, and he is serious about their relationship.

New Equilibrium- this is the final stage of Todorovs narrative theory where peace is restored and
everything is how it should be. Despite this, our film contradicts Todorovs theory, because the
ending results in the death of our main female protagonist after a terrorist attack. The film ends
with Olivia being cut off from saying I love you, and the audience are left with multiple questions.
We do not see Kyles reactions to her death; therefore there isnt a sense of normality in the
atmosphere.

Vladimir Propp believed in the concept of having eight fundamental and specific characters within
every plot. He suggests that every narrative possesses eight different types of characters in order to
exemplify a development and journey within the plot line, whilst allowing the audience to draw up
conclusions on the juxtaposition between different character personas e.g. antagonistic and
protagnonistic qualities. The villain/the dispatcher/the helper/the princess/the father/the donor/the
hero/false hero. Within my narrative, my plot contradicts Propps idea of having eight set characters
due to the fact I have two main protagonists within my plot.

The villain- There isnt a physical human villain within my plot, due to both protagonists
being in a relationship and loving each other. However, you could suggest that Kyle has
some underlying antagonistic traits, due to his mistreatment of Olivias feelings about
parenthood. The main villain who causes the disruption were the martyrs in the terrorist
attack of 07/07, however, they are not physically seen within the plot.
The dispatcher- The dispatcher is the character who sends the hero on their quest to defeat
the villain. There isnt a clear dispatcher within our film, because Olivia chooses to leave Kyle
to go and stay with her mother and it is Kyles choice alone to go and meet Olivia before it
was too late.
The helper- This is the character who helps the hero on their quest. Kyle obtained no help
apart from Olivias letter with a train ticket and her whereabouts. Therefore, Kyle is on his
own with these minute details to find Olivia and spend his life with her.
The princess- This is the damsel in distress, in which the hero fights for and deserves
throughout the story. The beat the villain resulting in their happily ever after [1]. Olivia
could be a representation of the princess, because Kyle goes on a journey to find her so they
can both share their happily ever after.
Her father- This character sets the hero with the task and marries off the hero and the
princess, whilst uncovering the false hero. [1]This character is not established within my plot
because Olivias family are not mentioned within the narrative and the princess (Olivia) sets
Kyle up on a task to meet her, not the father figure.
The donor- This is the character that helps the hero with a magical object. Within the plot,
Kyle receives a positive pregnancy test which stimulates him to go on his journey to find
Olivia, therefore in a sense you could suggest that Olivia is in some form, the donor.
The hero-This is the main character within the plot, who goes on a journey to wed the
princess. Within my narrative, Kyle could be exemplified as the hero, due to the fact he goes
on a journey of finding out he is a father; whilst meeting Olivia before she leaves him for
good.
The False Hero- This is the character who takes credit for the heros actions and is persistent
in wedding the princess. Within our film, Calamity, there isnt an evident false hero,
because Kyle is the only person who can go on this journey because he is Olivias lover.

Overall, my film contradicts Propps idea of their being eight set characters, because both of my
protagonist possess qualities from the various characters within Propps concept.

Barthes- He was a strong believer in the conception that the action of a text [2] can be set into
five codes:

The Hermeneutic Code- This is the code that exemplifies the avoidance of the truth in
order to denote a sense of mystery. The stories thread is ambiguous, due to the plot
giving nothing away. This forces the audience to think for themselves and try to solve
the mystery. Our film begins with archive footage of the 07/07 bombings along with a
broadcaster explaining the event and the amount of casualties. This scene quickly
diverts to a couple in bed having a normal discussion. Going from chaos to a sense of
calm and normality creates a mystery due to the juxtaposition of atmosphere. This
 would make the audience question why the archive footage was shown and who will fall
victim to the attack.
The Enigma Code- The enigma code demonstrates tension within the storyline, where
the audience are left to question what is yet to come[2] In, Calamity, there are many
enigmas; small and big. One enigma is the idea of Olivia constantly talking to Kyle about
starting a family, despite Kyles refusal every time. This could leave the audience
questioning why she keeps bringing up such a personal concept; could she be pregnant
or could she be in a situation that questions the amount of time she has left with him.
Another enigma is the idea of whether Kyle will make it to Olivia in time. We establish
Kyle is in a rush to meet Olivias before she leaves him for good but the question is
whether he will make it in time. When he rings her it goes to voicemail, therefore the
audience are left questioning whether she has already left him or if there is hope.
The Symbolic Code- This code has similarities to the semantic code, however, deeper
meaning are depicting within this code. New meanings can be created through opposing
conflict ideas. An example of this within our film is the idea of pregnancy. Pregnancy
connotes new life and the birth of someone new coming into the world. Despite this,
due to the events of the terrorist attack, Olivias life was lost, therefore the deeper
meaning of life and death is reiterated.
The Cultural Code- This code looks the audiences knowledge on a wider scale; including
moral and cultural ideology [2] our film is based on a real event the 07/07 bombings
which affected many people and caused many deaths. We decided to exemplify this
event through the eyes of a couple who have experienced it and how they experienced
it. At the beginning of our film, there is a news report discussing true facts and figures of
this incident, therefore it is a learning curb for the audience ad they get an insight about
the vent and became a part of the action.
The Semantic Code- This code is all about the connotations of the text and the meaning
behind certain elements in the plots structure. In Calamity, Kyle finds a pregnancy test
which produces connotations of family, suggesting he is going to be a dad. This
exemplifies to the audience that Kyle must make a decision; to go against his own
wished for the sake of family, or put himself first. As well as this symbol, when Kyle
leaves to go and meet Olivia, the camera pans to a framed picture of them both
together, which produces connotations of togetherness, painting a portrait that they will
live happily ever after. However, the reality of their situation is the death of Olivia leaves
Kyle isolated, living his worst nightmare. Kyle also buys flowers for Olivia which connotes
love, however they can also connote death. When a loved one dies, one puts flowers on
their grave during mourning as a sign of respect. This subtle nuance could foreshadow
Olivias death.

[1] https://www.slideshare.net/jordan_house/vladimir-propp-14561275

[2] https://www.slideshare.net/alexdabriel/barthes-codes-theory