Narrative theory

Narrative is the way a story or tale is told so that the elements are structured and organised in such a way that it makes sense to the audience.
Key theorists
Todorov
Narrative will be structured into five different stages;

Equilibrium
Disequilibrium
Recognition
Reparation
New equilibrium

For example; Jack and the Beanstalk story,
- Jack and his mother are living happily (Equilibrium)
- They are forced to sell their family cow which Jack sells for five magic beans (Disequilibrium)
- Jack knows that he has done wrong but decides to see what is up at the top of the giant beanstalk (Recognition)
- Jack takes the gold coins from the ogre and manages to defeat him by cutting down the beanstalk (Reparation)
- Jack and his mother are now rich and live happily ever after (New Equilibrium)

Propp

Narrative is motivated by a variety of character functions; there will be a hero who is sent on a quest by the sender. They have to overcome the villain usually with the aid of a helper and in doing so gains a reward; often a princess. If the audience can spot these narrative character functions then they can predict what will happen in the story.

For example; Shrek film,
Shrek (Hero) is sent on a quest by the King (Sender) to overcome the dragon (Villain) with the aid of Donkey (Helper) and gains the Princess (Reward).

Levi Strauss

Narrative is motivated by a clear struggle between Binary Opposites, one side which will be represented as the 'right' side which the audience should identify with and support.

For example superhero films like Batman and Spiderman.

Heroes are always shown in a favourable light e.g. low camera angles, close ups and longer shots of them in order to make the audience identify with them and support them.

One example of Music video narratives is Enrique Iglesias - Hero. It is a clear example of the Todorov narrative:

Equilibrium - Iglesias and the female actress are happily together.