Narrative construction and Todorov's equilibrium

Overview

Five stages of Todorov's narrative model, linear narrative and effect of a flashback on the audience's understanding.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

1. 1

   State the five stages of Todorov's narrative model.

   Model answer

   The five stages are equilibrium, disruption, recognition of the disruption, an attempt to repair it, and a new equilibrium.

2. 2

   Explain what is meant by equilibrium at the start of a film.

   Model answer

   Equilibrium is the settled state of the world before the story's problem appears, which a film establishes so that the audience can register the disruption as a change.

3. 3

   Why is the new equilibrium at the end of a film not the same as the first?

   Model answer

   The characters and their situation have been altered by what happened, so order is restored on different terms rather than returned to its starting point.

4. 4

   Give one limitation of applying Todorov's model to every film.

   Model answer

   Some narratives refuse resolution or end in continuing disorder, so a model built on restored order describes the shape of a conventional story rather than of all storytelling.

5. 5

   What is a linear narrative?

   Model answer

   A linear narrative presents its events in the order in which they occur.

6. 6

   What does a film gain by telling its events out of order?

   Model answer

   It can withhold and reveal at chosen moments, set two times against each other, and make the audience assemble the story rather than receive it.

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