1. NARRATIVE STRUCTURE
TRISTAN TODOROV
Events in a story have a causal relationship with one event leading to an other in a
pattern of cause and effect. The very notion of ‘cause and effect’ implies a change in a
state of affairs. For Todorov, the primary function of narrative is to solve a problem. It
is this that forms the basis of Todorov’s theory of narrative. His model begins with a
state of equilibrium, a condition in which everything is in a state of order. This state of
equilibrium is disrupted either by a force of some kind or through the actions of an
individual. The narrative progresses to a restoration of equilibrium, or order.
Todorov breaks the narrative process down into five stages
• A state of equilibrium at the outset
• A disruption of the equilibrium by some action
• A recognition that there has been a disruption
• An attempt to repair the disruption
• A reinstatement of the initial equilibrium.
TODOROV APPLIED TO BATMAN
A state of equilibrium at the outset Batman hasn’t been seen for eight years,
crime rates are really low and everything
in Gotham is safe due to Harvey Dent’s
act on crime.
A disruption of the equilibrium by some
action
Bane fights batman, breaks into
Batmansarmoury, imprisons Batman and
takes control of Wayne’s nuclear reactor.
A recognition that there has been a
disruption
Bane blows up the bridges surrounding
Gotham so there is only one exit from
Gotham which Bane controls for supplies
and protection that no one leaves the city.
Bane alerts the world of the situation and
the fact that he controls a nuclear bomb
which will detonate in a matter of months.
An attempt to repair the disruption Batman escapes the prison and returns to
Gotham to stop Bane and save the city.
Batman finds Bane and starts a war
between Bane’s army and the police
force.
A reinstatement of the initial equilibrium. Batman defeats Bane and his men and
fly’s the bomb out over the bay so the city
is clear of the blast radius, the bomb
detonates and the city is safe.