Narrative Theory

Todorov's Narrative Theory:

His theory is separated into 5 points which are:

1. Equilibrium (happy/balance)

2. Disruption of equilibrium (something goes wrong)

3. Recognition of this disruption

4. An attempt to repair the equilibrium is made

5. Equilibrium is restored (back to balance) OR a new equilibrium is established (life has changed)

The Katy Perry video is a very good example of Todorov's Narrative Theory. As we can see in the capture above the music video begins in a wedding ceremony which shows the first point of the Equilibrium showing a happy surrounding as the individuals are about to get married. The music video then moves onto the man having second thoughts which are represented visually by the man running away with Katy Perry chasing him. This scene moves then onto a scene which presents Katy Perry along with many other brides who are holding baseball bats which signifies the breakdown after the man running away from the church meaning that the equilibrium is disrupted. The video then moves of the equilibrium topic and shows Katy Perry performing however at the very end we see her approach her groom in a gentle manner as if she was attempting to repair the equilibrium in which she does succeed as in the next scene we come back to the church and both the bride and the groom say "Yes". 

Propp's Narrative Theory:

Propp believes that each different character plays a different narrative role such as:

- Hero - Individual(s) who's quest is to restore the equilibrium

- Villain - Individual(s) who's task is to disrupt the equilibrium

- Donor - Individual(s) who gives the hero(s) something, advice, information or an object

- Princess (Prince) - Individual(s) which need help, protecting and saving

- Helper - Individual(s) who aids the hero(s) with their set task

I have chosen the music video by Enrigue Iglesias - Hero inn order to support the Propp's Narrative. Within the music video we can see elements of the narrative theory by the inclusion of roles such as the: Hero, Villain, Donor, Princess and the Helper. The music video is based around lovers who have been approached by the villain and his companions in order to destroy the equilibrium. There were only three main characters within the video, however some of them have overlapped in order to take on more than one role. For example the hero which targets to restore the equilibrium is also the doner of a necklace to the princess that later on helps him with his task in the form of a helper. The video portrays a contrasts of sensual lovers, harsh villains and the anticipation to succeed in the task which I believe emphasises the power of the hero and the princess within this video.

Levi-Strauss : Binary Oppositions

Levi-Strauss believes that some kind of a conflict has to occur in order to allow the story to move on. He has argued that meaning in narrative is based upon binary oppositions. He observed that all narratives are organised around the conflict between such binary opposites.

- Good vs Evil

A good example of the conflict between good forces and evil forces is the movie "Transformer". The constant fights and elimination which occurs within the movie clearly portray the fight against the evil forces known as 'Decepticons'. Additionally I believe the movie fits into Propps Narrative due to the various roles which are seen within the movie such as the hero, villain, helper etc that construct an effective fight against the evil.

- Human vs Nature

- Black vs White

- Protagonist vs Antagonist

- Humanity vs Technology

- Man vs Woman

In Levi-Strauss: Binary Oppositions I have found that the music video of Beyonce - If I were a boy was a good example of the Man vs Woman opposition. This is because the video portrays a straight forward comparison between the male and the female and their roles. At first we can see that the music video blends the gender roles as we can see Beyonce in a police uniform which is mainly associated with a male job whereas her partner sits behind a desk at work. As a result of this counter type we can see the female character in a more dominant position which can interlink with the title of the music video as this could be what she thinks she would be doing if she was a man. The conflict between the man and the woman turns back to the traditional view at the end of the video, showing the stereotypical gender roles. 

- Human vs Alien

Roland Barthes : Enigma Code

This narrative theory is mainly seen in crime series. It refers to any element of the story that is not fully explained and hence becomes a mystery to the reader. The purpose of the author in this is typically to keep the audience guessing, arresting the enigma, until the final scenes when all is revealed and all loose ends are tied off and closure is achieved.

Throughout the whole video we are being portrayed a very abstract composition of all of the band members representing a different character. The video includes elements of 'future like'  or rather 'space like' powers and locations which do not clearly portray a message to the audience therefore keeping them in anticipation to watch the whole video in order to fully understand the concept.