Texts: Narrative Construction - Todorov 22.4

Todorov's Narrative Stages

There are five stages:

1. Equilibrium – the setting is established, key character(s) are introduced and

the storyline has begun to be set up.

2. This is then followed by a disruption whereby an oppositional character(s)

appear and the story takes a particular direction

3. Then there is recognition of disruption, in that the lives of characters and

events are interwoven. Tension builds throughout this section, which is often

the longest.

4. An attempt to repair the disruption is at the highest point of tension within

the film after which there is a change in the dynamic.

5. Finally, there is a re-in-statement of equilibrium where matters are sorted

out, problems are solved and questions are answered. The equilibrium can be

described as new as the story has been resolved but the events have

possibly changed people.

Task 1: 
Watch this episode of The Simpsons and identify each of the five stages of equilibrium.
Post on your own blog for feedback.
(The show is sped up as we are pushed for time!)

Lisa The Vegetarian

http://youtu.be/c34vCZzildI