Narrative and Tzvetan Todorov

Overview

Todorov's five-stage model of narrative, non-linear narrative and enigma code in narrative.

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

   What is narrative?

   Model answer

   The organisation of events into a structure that an audience follows and makes sense of.

2. 2

   State Todorov's five-stage model of narrative.

   Model answer

   Equilibrium, disruption, recognition of the disruption, an attempt to repair it, and a new equilibrium.

3. 3

   Why is the final state described as a new equilibrium rather than the original one?

   Model answer

   The disruption has changed the situation and the characters, so order returns in an altered form.

4. 4

   Apply Todorov's model to a crime drama episode.

   Model answer

   Ordinary life is disrupted by a crime, the disruption is recognised as the investigation begins, the detective works to resolve it, and an altered order returns with the case closed.

5. 5

   Give one limitation of Todorov's model.

   Model answer

   Many products refuse a new equilibrium — a serial ends on a cliffhanger, and a news bulletin has no resolution at all.

6. 6

   What does Todorov's model say nothing about?

   Model answer

   It describes the shape of a narrative but says nothing about whose story is told or what values the resolution endorses.

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