Propps theory: Character function
Vladimir Propp identified a theory about characters and actions as narrative functions.
He said that character provide a structure for the text.
Propp believed that these characters held a function:
The Hero- a character that seeks something
The Villain- who opposes or actively blocks the hero's quest
The Donor- who provides an object with magical properties
The Dispatcher- who sends the hero on his/ her quest
The False hero- who disrupts the hero's success by making false claims
The Helper- who aids the hero
Her Father- who acts to reward the hero for his effort
However, critics have faulted Propps theory as there are many more characters than propp suggests.
Propps theory linked to our film
The villain
The character Elizabeth was the villain in our film. However, she was an unconventional villain as her mental illness meant that she could not know what she was doing when she had a different personality. This mental illness was also a stem from her mothers death as a young child and her fathers neglect to show her affection. Therefore she is not a black and white villain, however he actions of murdering her father means that she takes this role in the film.
The hero
The psychologist Dr Edwards acts as the hero in our film. This is because she seeks to help Elizabeth overcome her struggle with her mental illness. In the film she has numerous meetings with Elizabeth trying to help her heal from her past and live with her disorder.
Her Father
The character John Parker is Elizabeth's father in our film. However although Propps theory states that a father acts to reward the hero for his effort, this is not the case in our film. After the loss of his wife, John Parker becomes neglectful and an obsessive businessman. Therefore he pushes his daughter to form a disorder.
Claude Lévi-Strauss theory: Binary oppositions
Clause Levi- Strauss was a french anthropologist and had been called 'the father of modern anthropology'. In critical theory, a binary opposition (also binary system) is a pair of related terms or concepts that are opposite in meaning. Binary opposition is the system by which, in language and thought, two theoretical opposites are strictly defined and set off against one another. It is the contrast between two mutually exclusive terms, such as on and off, up and down, left and right. In a media text, there are binary oppositions such as good vs evil.
Rational Vs Emotional
Rational is normally priveledged and associated with men, whereas emotional is seen as inferior and associated with women. Although our film shows the father, as a rational and logical businessman, he is not superior, it is the emotional girl, as she wins power over him by taking his life. Therefore our film does not follow this binary opposite.
Good Vs Evil
Our film does follow this binary opposite as there is a theme of Good vs Evil. Elizabeth acts as the evil force by murdering her father, and the psychologist Dr Edwards acts as a force of good, trying to stamp out all of the evilness.
Old Vs Young
There is a battle between old vs young in our film. The father is middle-aged and faces conflict with his younger daughter. The old is normally represented as superior and wise whereas the young is seen inferior, helpless and weak. However our film turns this convetion around as it is the young who defeats the old.
Equilibrium theory
Tzvetan Todorov simplified the idea of narrative theory while also allowing a more complex interpretation of film texts with his theory of Equilibrium and Disequilibrium.
The theory is simply this:
* The fictional environment begins with a state of equilibrium (everything is as it should be in a state of equal balance between powers of any kind, where equality of importance or effect exists among the various parts of any complex unity).
* It then suffers some disruption (disequilibrium).
* New equilibrium is produced at the end of the narrative.
There are five stages the narrative can progress through:
1. A state of equilibrium (All is as it should be.)
2. A disruption of that order by an event.
3. A recognition that the disorder has occurred.
4. An attempt to repair the damage of the disruption.
5. A return or restoration of a NEW equilibrium.
Stage 1
The state of equilibrium of our film is Elizabeth and her father living together in their house, trying to recover from the loss of there beloved wife/mother.
Stage 2
The disruption of that order comes from Elizabeth murdering her father.
Stage 3
The recognition of the disorder is Elizabeth coming to terms with her schitzophrenia.
Stage 4
Elizabeth attempts to repair the damage she has caused by seeking help from a psychologist Dr Edwards.
Stage 5
There is a restoration of equilibrium as Elizabeth makes a strong maternal bond wth psychologist and works on overcoming her disorder.
Claude Lévi-Strauss theory: Binary oppositions
Clause Levi- Strauss was a french anthropologist and had been called 'the father of modern anthropology'. In critical theory, a binary opposition (also binary system) is a pair of related terms or concepts that are opposite in meaning. Binary opposition is the system by which, in language and thought, two theoretical opposites are strictly defined and set off against one another. It is the contrast between two mutually exclusive terms, such as on and off, up and down, left and right. In a media text, there are binary oppositions such as good vs evil.
Rational Vs Emotional
Rational is normally priveledged and associated with men, whereas emotional is seen as inferior and associated with women. Although our film shows the father, as a rational and logical businessman, he is not superior, it is the emotional girl, as she wins power over him by taking his life. Therefore our film does not follow this binary opposite.
Good Vs Evil
Our film does follow this binary opposite as there is a theme of Good vs Evil. Elizabeth acts as the evil force by murdering her father, and the psychologist Dr Edwards acts as a force of good, trying to stamp out all of the evilness.
Old Vs Young
There is a battle between old vs young in our film. The father is middle-aged and faces conflict with his younger daughter. The old is normally represented as superior and wise whereas the young is seen inferior, helpless and weak. However our film turns this convetion around as it is the young who defeats the old.
Equilibrium theory
Tzvetan Todorov simplified the idea of narrative theory while also allowing a more complex interpretation of film texts with his theory of Equilibrium and Disequilibrium.
The theory is simply this:
* The fictional environment begins with a state of equilibrium (everything is as it should be in a state of equal balance between powers of any kind, where equality of importance or effect exists among the various parts of any complex unity).
* It then suffers some disruption (disequilibrium).
* New equilibrium is produced at the end of the narrative.
There are five stages the narrative can progress through:
1. A state of equilibrium (All is as it should be.)
2. A disruption of that order by an event.
3. A recognition that the disorder has occurred.
4. An attempt to repair the damage of the disruption.
5. A return or restoration of a NEW equilibrium.
Stage 1
The state of equilibrium of our film is Elizabeth and her father living together in their house, trying to recover from the loss of there beloved wife/mother.
Stage 2
The disruption of that order comes from Elizabeth murdering her father.
Stage 3
The recognition of the disorder is Elizabeth coming to terms with her schitzophrenia.
Stage 4
Elizabeth attempts to repair the damage she has caused by seeking help from a psychologist Dr Edwards.
Stage 5
There is a restoration of equilibrium as Elizabeth makes a strong maternal bond wth psychologist and works on overcoming her disorder.
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