Todorov & Propp's narrative theory

Todorov suggested that stories begin with an equilibrium where any potentially opposing forces are in balance.

He stated that conventional narratives are constructed in 5 stages 

(1) A state of equilibrium (balance)

(2) A disruption of the equilibrium by some action

(3) A recognition that there has been a disruption

(4) A attempt to repair the disruption

(5) A reinstatement of the equilibrium 

His extended Narrative theory in 5 stages

(1) Exposition (background info/intro of characters)

(2) Development

(3) Complication (main event and action)

(4) Climax (confrontation)

(5) Resolution (restoration of equilibrium)

This type of narrative structure is familiar to us and is applied to many well-known film narratives.

Propp's Narrative structure 

The 6 stages;

(1) Preparation

(2) Complication

(3) Transference

(4) Struggle

(5) Return

(6)Recognition

Propp analysed 100 folk and fairy-tales to identify how characters are used to move the narrative forward.

• The helper
• The princess
• The princess' father (father figure)
• The donor who provides the hero with a magic gift
• The dispatcher who sends the hero on his way
• The false hero

HOWEVER, a character could have several roles in a narrative theory, for instance there could be  smaller numbers of roles than characters (this could be a flaw in the theory)

Flaw's in Propp's theory

• He ignores character, tone and mood in his analysis which differentiates one tale from another
• He works as characters as a function. The role of the character to move the narrative forward