CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES - Theories

TZVETAN TODOROV
The classical narrative:

Equilibrium: the normal state at the beginning of the text. Any opposing forces are in balance

Dis-equilibrium - An action or conflict introduced into the narrative

New-equilibrium - the conflict is resolved and the narrative strands are tied together

ROLAND BARTHES

Five Codes:
The action or Proairetic (questions and actions)

CLAUDE LEVI-STRAUSS

meaninh in narratives is based upon binary oppositions (conflict) he was less interested in the arrangement of the narrative and more in the seeper meaning of themes.

VLADIMIR PROPP

the Morphology of the Folk Tale was first publiashed in1928. Propp examined hundreds of folk tales and concluded that a fomula was commonplace including:

8 Character Roles:

The Villain
The Hero
The Donor
The Helper
The Princess
Her Father
The Dispacher who sends the hero on his way
The False hero