Task 1:

Linear: chronological order, beginning middle end

Example: Tangled
https://youtu.be/2f516ZLyC6U?feature=shared
- Rapunzel crosses trouble throughout the narrative yet ends happily ever
after – Disney animation of a classic tale
- Classic storyline of good vs evil, saved by good – contradict evil
Example: Die Hard
https://youtu.be/jaJuwKCmJbY?feature=shared
- Character progresses from safety to danger, to victory and revenge,
follows classic chronological order
- Follows a family’s story through crime and tension, big city bright lights

Nonlinear: non-chronological order, out of order – give a greater

understanding of story
Example: Memento
https://youtu.be/HDWylEQSwFo?si=sD0dnSOxoWT8BDjT
- story told in reverse, perplexing
- short-term memory creates an interesting atmosphere, continuous
audience questioning
Example: Little Women
https://youtu.be/AST2-4db4ic?feature=shared
- story of the family/sisters growing up – a journey through love and loss
whilst their father is at war
- consistent flashbacks and present contrast, clear non-linear structure

Circular narrative: starts and ends in the same place/same idea

Example: Alice in Wonderland
https://youtu.be/9POCgSRVvf0?feature=shared
- Starts and ends from the girl's bed, it was all a dream in the end
- A journey through the travels of the girl throughout her dream after falling
down a rabbit hole – falls into a hallucinogenic world populated by
inhumane characters such as talking animals and speaking objects.
Example: Gone Girl
https://youtu.be/2-_-1nJf8Vg
- Uses a cyclical structure, knowledge is emphasised during the course of the
story
- An American psychological thriller based around a teacher and his missing
wife, in which the media find the man's behaviour suspicious towards his
missing wife.
- Shots are almost identical in opening and closing scenes, audience always
knows more than characters do

Todorov’s Narrative theory:

Todorov believes that every narrative has the same 5 stages to it.

1. Equilibrium - Life is balanced and normal; there have been no disruptions to the main
characters life.

2. Disruption - The main character's life has been disrupted suddenly, breaking the
equilibrium

3. Recognition - The main character realises their situation has changed for the worse

4. Repair - They set out to fix what is wrong with the situation, trying to make restore their
equilibrium.

5. New Equilibrium - They have worked out their problems and have a new equilibrium.
They have learnt from their experience as a result of it.

Task 2

Traditionally, the Todorov found that narrative stories follow a continuous formula –
resulting in a chronological, fairytale style storyline. A prime example of this structuralist
theory is scream. This is shown through the plot, theme, setting, character, props, sound
and editing.

The film ‘Scream’ uses Todorov’s theory:

https://youtu.be/AWm_mkbdpCA?si=I2RKSxElSP6jiQLS

1. Opening/Build up: Within the opening scene, the character is seen as a calm and
controlled character who is currently babysitting – typically this could be seen as a
primely vulnerable character to foreshadow the storyline. Despite the peacefulness,
the phone rings, tension begins to be created, with an uncomfortable atmosphere.
2. Climax: The ‘climax’ of the storyline would be considered the moment as the
teenage girl becomes the target of the killer, with the town all working together to
find out who the killer is whilst many deaths occur (including both the girl and her
boyfriend).

3. Ending/Resolution: The typical resolution of the film is noted to be the point

where the house is ‘saved’ with the killer seemed to be gone. It was discovered that
the boy killed the girl’s mother out of revenge for the dissolution of his parent’s
marriage. Despite this, all ends well as the suspected killer was murdered and no
longer a threat to the citizens.