TODOROV'S NARRATIVE STRUCTURE
1. Every story opens with a description of ‘normal’ life (what he termed equilibrium - everything in balance and harmony; the way life was for the characters the story introduces).
2. A disruption occurs to this way of life. A dis-equilibrium is created.
3. Some of the characters recognise there is a disruption and attempt to put things right. They undergo a series of challenges in their quest to repair the disruption.
4. There is a climax, a defining event that resolves the disruption.
5. The story closes with the character’s lives back to ‘normal’, or at least a new version of normality after all they have been through. A new equilibrium is established.
PROPPS NARRATIVE THEORY
The Villain - Struggles against hero, does bad things, gets in the hero's way
The Helper - Sidekick, always there to help in critical moments, limited against hero in ability
The Princess / Prize - Something to achieve or to chase after
Her Father - Not always present, obstacle, dominant
The Donor - Gives hero something special / clues
The Hero - Leads narrative, usually looking for something, "good guy"
The False Hero - Initially mistaken for hero, turns into obstacle for hero
The Dispatcher - Sends hero on mission
THE LION KING
FOLLOWS TODOROV'S NARRATIVE STRUCTURE
New lion cub born - kingdom is happy
Uncle (Scar) tricks Simba into thinking he killed his father
Simba's life / development away from home
Simba's return / challenges and overthrows Scar
Simba wins / becomes king - kingdom happy again
RELATE
Our film goes against Todorov's narrative theory. This is because our film starts with a disruption and equilibrium is not restored at the end, as it will have an open ending. It also subverts Propp's character theories, as the protagonist is her own enemy. In addition, the 'helper' is supposed to be her boyfriend but instead, he ignores her completely. Our film also rejects Todorov's theory as there are flashbacks showing the relationship between Ash and Sky, as well as the reasons Sky ran away.
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