Todorov's narrative theory with example's of horror
what is Todorov's narrative theory?
Todorov’s narrative theory suggests that all narratives follow a three part structure, where they begin with equilibrium; everything is balanced, then something disrupts that equilibrium, and finally a solution is reached to restore the equilibrium. The five steps for all traditional stories are
Equilibrium
Disruption
recognition of disruption
attempts to repair disruption
New equilibrium
1. Equilibrium
In a typical horror film, the start of the film is equilibrium, a state of rest or balance due to equal actions of opposing forces. This can either be a family moving into a new home or a mother having a new born child, however because we are aware that it is a horror, we know that further on in the film this will change.
2. Disruptions
The next stage of a horror would typically be the disruption. This would be when the audience first identify somethings wrong. This would usually be a demon/ghost haunting a house or a child being possessed. Usually the audience are first to identify the disruption as the characters are normally naive to what is happening at first because they are more concentrated on their everyday lives.
3. Recognition of Disruption
4. Attempt to Repair Disruption
This is the solving stage in the film where there is an attempt to repair the damage of the disruption. An example of this in Cinderella, is when she goes to the ball disguised and meets Prince Charming.
5. Return to Equilibrium
This stage of Todorov's theory is slightly changed in horror film. In other genre's of films, at the end it returns to equilibrium however in horrors this rarely happens and usually ends up in a death or a cliff hanger to a second film.
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