Narrative Devices

Narrative Devices

 

Comprehending Time:

Very few screen stories take place in real time. Whole lives can be dealt with in the 90 minutes of a feature film, an 8 month siege be encompassed within a 60 minute TV Documentary. There are many conventions to denote time passing, from the time/date information typed up on each new scene of X-Files to the aeroplane passing over a map of the continent in Raiders of the Lost Ark.

Ways in which time can be manipulated in Narrative:

• Flashbacks
• Dream Sequences
• Repetition
• Different Characters Point of View (POV)
• Flash Forwards
• Real Time Interludes
• Pre-Figuring of Events that have not yet taken place.

Levi-Strauss' Narrative Devices:

• Claude Levi-Strauss' built upon philosopher Aristotle's statement that "all drama is conflict" with his Theory of Binary Oppositions. Strauss said that all stories are 'Accelerated forward by conflict which is caused by opposing characters or events'.
• Opposites within a storyline are extremely important in a successful story, as drawing two different worlds or characters together inspires conflict and interesting narrative.
• Therefore the presence of binary opposition in film is an important one, as the differences within the world of the story collide and create a disturbance for which a solution must be found. It also helps to create and distinguish between character roles, for there cannot be a hero without a villain.

Barthes Narrative Devices:

• Roland Barthes proposes that there are codes within film which serves t o engage audiences.
• The Enigma Code generates and controls what information a viewer is aware of within a narrative and holds their interest throughout the film. It introduces problems or puzzles which must be solved as well as mysteries which must be uncovered.
• The Action Code refers to events which occur that the viewer immediately can identify as being significant to the development of the narrative. Resolution may be achieved through action also.

Todorov Narrative Devices:

• Tsvetan Todorov presents us with his theory, which is based on his study of folk tales, that implies all mainstream film follows a similar narrative structure to each other. It consists of five stages and is known as Todorov Theory of Narrative.

Todorov 5 Theories of Narrative:

• Equilibrium - The introductory setting is established, with key characters appearing and the story line is set up. This part of the story shows the balance in the lives of the characters before stage two occurs.
• Disruption - Oppositional characters are introduced and the story takes a particular direction.
• Recognition - The recognition of the disruption, the characters lives and the events are combined and sop we are able to see the effect the events could have on the characters. This is the part where Todorov believes the tensions constantly builds and this section is the longest in the film.
• Repair - Repair/Attempts to Repair the damage from the disruption, the highest point of tension in the film, after which comes a change in dynamic.
• New Equilibrium - Where everything is restored but adapted to the new dynamic, problems are all solved and loose ends are tied.

Propp Narrative Devices:

• Vladimir Propp also proposes a narrative structure which is similar to Todorov's, but slightly more detailed and complex. Preparation - Introduction to the Story.
• Complication - Keys or clues to the direction of the story.
• Transference - The Donor Events
• Struggle - Dealing with  the complications
• Return - Back to "home" however there are still issues remaining
• Recognition - Loose ends are tied up.

This ties in directly with Propps Character Theory. This identifies more character roles than the previously obvious Protagonist (Hero) and Antagonist (Villain). He states the importance of "spheres of action" for each character as opposed to rigid character types, with one role. Propp identifies seven main roles:

• The Villain
• The Donor - Prepares the Hero or gives them a magical object.
• The (Magical) Helper - This role helps the Hero throughout his quest.
• The Princess - Object of the heroes desire, sought for during the narrative.
• The Princess' Father - Rewards the Hero.
• The Dispatcher - A role to send the Hero off.
• The Hero (Victim/Seeker) - Reacts to the Donor, weds the Princess and completes the quest.
• The False Hero, Unsurper/Anti-Hero