Narrative

THE NARRATIVE OF HORROR THEROIES

NORELL CARROLL

-In his essay The Philosophy of Horror, Maps out the traditional narrative structure of horror film in three stages

1) The first he names the “onset phase” where a disorder is created generally in the form of a monster,

2) The second Carroll calls the “discovery phase”, where the characters of the story discover that the disorder has occurred.

3) The third phase he calls the “Disruption Phase”, where the characters destroy the source of the disorder and restore normality

This is similar to what Todrov stated; he argued that the basis of conventional narrative structure consists of original of an initial situation (situation1) a problem which disrupts the situation, a resolution of the problem which disrupts the situation, a resolution of the situation.

RONALD BARTHES

-Is a French semiologists and suggests that narrative works with 5 different codes ( Enigma, action, symbolic (connotation) ,Semic (denotation) , Cultural ,which activate the reader to make sense of it. Also uses the tern denotation and connotation to analyse images

QUOTES OF NARRATIVE:

“Narrative structure provides a formula or template in film production”

“Without a typical narrative structure genre films would not be recognisable to audiences and conversely films would not be able to break with predictability”

“Narrative works as a contract- the implicit agreement between a film and its audience that governs the way fans enjoy it”

NARRATIVE THEORIES:

LINAER/NON LINEAR/ MULTI NARRATIVE:

A non linear narrative- one that does not proceed in a straight line

Linear narrative- narrative runs in a smooth line where it is not broken up

Multi-stranded narrative- more than one story taking place

TODROV- EQUILIBRIUM

-The text begins with a state of equilibrium- everything appears to be normal and calm

-There is some kind of disruption or dis equilibrium (this is often a threat to the normal equilibrium)

-A new equilibrium is produced to end the narrative

QUOTE- “ALL NARRATIVES HAD TO BE DRIVEN FORWARD BY CONFLICT THAT WAS CAUSED BY A SERIES OF OPPOSING FORCES”

BARTHES- ENIGMA CODE

-The plot constructs a puzzle that the audience is asked to solve while the characters act out the story. An enigma may end with a surprising twist.

-Narrative is delivered to the audience by expectation, suspense, tension and closure. The audience is lead to expect certain things to happen which leads to tension and excitement

-QUOTE:  “AN ELEMANT IN A STRONG THAT IS NOT EXPLAINED AND THEREFORE EXSITS AS AN ENIGMA FOR THE READER RASIING QUESTIONS THAT DEMAND EXPLICATION”.

LEVI- STRAUSS- BIARY OPPOSITIONS

-Simply the discussion and application of oppositions within characters/location/narratives such as good vs. bad, Wealthy vs. poor..

PROPP- 8 STOCK CHARACTERS

-Villain, hero, Donor, Helper, Princess, Father, Dispatcher, False hero

AUDIENCE THEROY:

HYPODERMIC NEEDLE THEORY MODEL:

-Here the message in media texts are injected into the audience by the powerful, syringe like, media

-The audience is powerless to resist, media has a direct effect on the way people behave.

-Therefore the film works like a drug and the audience is drugged, addicted and doped. It injects direct messages in audiences mind that messages have subtle influences

USES OF GRAFITIFICATION THEORY:

- Suggests there is a highly active audience making use of the film

-The audience uses the text for its own pleasure

-Purposes such as:

Entertain, inform, escape, identity, educate

CULTIVATION THEORY

- Similar to hypodermic theory but information is absorbed over a period of time

-Passive audience: The audience accepts and believes all messages in any media text that they receive

-Active audience: Interact with the communication process and use media texts for their own purposes