Narrative structure theories

Vladimir Propp -
He founded the idea that a certain type of character was to be used in every narrative structure. He suggests that every fairy tale narrative structure specifically consists of eight characters: the villain, the dispatcher, the helper, the prize (e.g. princess), the father, the donor, the hero or victim/seeker hero and the false hero.
He noticed that often many folk type tales were similar in areas of the structure - he identified a theory about characters and actions as narrative functions.

Todorov -
He states that most stories and or plot lines follow the same pattern or path. There are 5 main steps in this pattern:
1. The Equilibrium - The first part has more of a positive tone, where most of the characters seem content with no obvious problem.
2. A Disruption - The second part is where something happens out of the ordinary that disrupts the happiness of the characters.
3. A Realisation - This part of the story is about the characters realising how serious the problem is, and therefore there is more panic/chaos.
4. Restored order - This is when the characters attempt to repair the damage and restore the problem.
5. Equilibrium again - The final part of the plot is when the problem is resolved and everything goes back to normality.


Levi Strauss -
He believed that the way we understood certain words depends not so much on the direct meaning they contain but more of how we understand the difference of the word and its opposite. A protagonist and antagonist, or the heroine and villain are both examples of binary opposites. Binary opposites are usually the basis of our understanding of a story as its a conventional narrative and enables an equilibrium.