The Basic Narrative Paradigm
The Basic Narrative Paradigm
The Basic Narrative Paradigm
The basic progress of a narrative is a linear one, A is the cause of B, which is turn of C etc. This is
known as cause-effect chain, where one event causes the next. In the narrative we can identify distinct
phases.
Roland Barthes's three levels of narrative (structural analysis)
Roland Barthes outlines a structural theory of narrative - inspired by structural linguistics, the Prague
School, Russian formalism, and structural anthropology.
He proposes that one should study the structure of narratives, and that, he claims, can only be found in
the narratives themselves. He proposes that one looks at how linguistics have done, and study
structures beyond the sentence. Narratives, as an example of structures of meaning, can be studied on
different levels of description. Terms acquire meaning not in isolation, but in relationship with other
terms, on the same level, and on different levels. Narratives are a hierarchy of instances.
Barthes describes three levels: functions (bottom level), actions (middle level), and narration (top
level).
Functions are the smallest unit of narrative, something that may not have meaning directly but which
acquire meaning in combination with other units, on the same level or on a higher level. Functions can
in some cases be shorter than the sentence, even parts of a word. A unit can belong to more than one
class. Informants and indices can combine freely. A catalyser implies the existence of a nuclei to which
it can connect. Nuclei are bound together by a relation of solidarity. A sequence is a logical succession
of nuclei bound together by a relation of solidarity. Sequences can be included in other, larger
sequences, still on the 'functional' level.
Actions is the level of characters. Characters in the narrative are classified, not in terms of
psychological essences, but according to their participation in actions. Actions often have two sides.
For instance 'Giving' has a Donor and a Receiver. Example of actions are desire, communication,
struggle.
The narrational level include narrative communication (author, narrator, and 'reader') and narrative
situation ("the set of protocols according to which the narrative is 'consumed'." (p. 58)). Here is
included different styles of representation, 'point of view', coded signs of narrative ('once upon a time',
etc.).
Propp was able to compile a sequence of thirty-two constant functions in the folk tales he analyzed. He
wanted to emphasize that what characters do is more important than who they are. Each function that is
present must contribute to the general development of the plot.
0. Initial situation
Levi-Strauss looked at narrative structure in terms of binary oppositions. Binary oppositions are sets of
opposite values which reveal the structure of media texts. An example would be GOOD and EVIL - we
understand the concept of GOOD as being the opposite of EVIL. Levi -Strauss was not so interested in
looking at the order in which events were arranged in the plot. He looked instead for deeper
arrangements of themes. For example, if we look at Science Fiction films we can identify a series of
binary oppositions which are created by the narrative:
Earth Space
Good Evil
Humans Aliens
Past Present
Normal Strange
Known Unknown