Narrative Theories

Narrative theory Todorov
Todorovs theory is that every narrative weather it be music video or film that each will follow this structure which will help the narrative flow.
1. The narrative starts with a normal situation (equilibrium)
2. An action or character disrupts the equilibrium (disequilibrium)
3. The characters realize the problem (realization)
4. the character try to fix the problem (action)
5. Resolution occurs and equilibrium is restored (equilibrium)

Props Seven Characters
1. The hero - the character the seeks something
2. The villain - the character that blocks the hero quest
3. The donor - the character that helps the hero for example with an object
4. The helper - the character that helps the hero with the quest
5. The princess or prize - the character or the prize that the hero wants and what the villain tries to stop him from getting 
6. The false hero - that character that tries to take credit for the hero actions and tries to get the prize
7. The Dispatcher - the character that sends the hero on his/her quest

The Foo Fighters learn to fly - To show examples of these theories I studied the music video Learn To Fly by The Foo Fighters. Todorov's narrative theory fits the music video pretty well as the beginning of the video starts off with too cleaners on the plane looking mischievous as the hide a package on the plane but the audience didn't have and idea what they were doing till the end of the video. after this point the music kicks in the background and the plane sets off on its journey which starts off as a equilibrium. the equilibrium is then disrupted but the air hostess serving up coffee which accidentally had the erotic sleeping powder in what the cleaner hid. this means that all the passengers on the plane apart from a few were given the drink with the powder in, making them crazy and erotic. this also meant that the pilots were unable to fly the plane causing a bigger disruption. this is when the 3 band members step in and find the book that showed them 'how to fly' which is when the resolution is restored and they safely land the plane restoring the equilibrium. the props seven character theory also partially fits this narrative as the villains are obviously the villains that are poisoning the passengers. the hero is the band member that saves and lands the plane once that pilots are unable to land it. the doner is the second band member that gives the first one the book that teaches 'how to fly' which then causes him to land the plane safely. the prize in my opinion is the passengers on the plane that need saving and are relying on the hero to help. the helper is again the second band member that gave him the manual and also helped him land the plane.


 Macklemore & Ryan Lewis and Mary Lambert Same Love -The second music video i have studied to prove these theories is Macklemore & Ryan Lewis and Mary Lambert's song Same Love. Todorovs theory fits the narrative of this music video as the video starts of with multiple clips of different children playing with friends and with family happily. this is the equilibrium that todorov says that happens in the beginning of a narrative based video. the disruption occurs when one of the young boys grows up to about age 16 and starts to realise about his sexuality and realises he is gay. this is through certain clips such as when playing spin the bottle, going out to a club and going out with friends. this is the disruption as his friends and family are not supportive of his choice to be gay which causes him to lash out and become unhappy. he disruption esculates as he gets in a relationship with a male which again leads his parents to disagree with his decision. The equilibrium is then restored as gay marriage laws are changed which allows the couple to get married. The equilibrium is restored as the boy is as happy as he was when he was younger and his parents and friends have now accepted him. Props 7 character types are also portrayed in this music video. The villain in my opinion is everyone that does not accept him as gay including his parents and friends. The hero would be the gay man who seeks aceptance from the villains. The helper would be the mans boyfriend that helps him through the tough times. The donor I would personally say is the government who changed the marriage laws and allowed the man to be happy even though they are not technically in the music video. The donor could also be the victor that allowed them to get married in the church.