Chose a film that you are familiar with and have seen in its entirety (not one we have studied in class) and outline how Todorov's stages of narrative can be applied to it.
When looking at Todorov's theory it can be difficult to find films that perfectly fit the five stages in order. Some films don't follow the five stages at all, however, you can perfectly apply Todorov's theory to Edgar Wrights Shaun of the Dead (2004). The theory goes Equilibrium, Disruption then Recognition, the attempt to Repair and then finally the new Equilibrium. Using Shaun of the dead as our example we will see how this narrative theory applies to this film. Starting at the beginning of the film we see our Equilibrium during Liz and Shaun's date night at the Winchester pub, something we learn very quickly that they do every week. The Disruption happens when Shaun wakes up the next with a hangover as is completely oblivious to the zombie apocalypse that has happened over night. The Recognition occurs when both Shaun and Ed encounter a zombie in the back garden of their house, running back inside to watch the news when the armless zombie breaks into the house. The attempt to repair happens when the six of them, as they attempt to kill the infected at the Winchester pub, during this situation, we see Shaun's mother admit to being bit earlier on and turning before Shaun kills the monster his mother has become, and an injured Ed ends up staying behind and inevitably getting bitten and infected, in order to save his friends. The new equilibrium takes place six months later, the zombies are now used for entertainment purposes, Shaun and Liz are living happily together and zombie Ed is now kept in the shed for Shaun to play video games with at will. So, in conclusion, the film Shaun of the Dead is perfect for applying Todorov's theory of Narrative, in its structure.
When looking at Todorov's theory it can be difficult to find films that perfectly fit the five stages in order. Some films don't follow the five stages at all, however, you can perfectly apply Todorov's theory to Edgar Wrights Shaun of the Dead (2004). The theory goes Equilibrium, Disruption then Recognition, the attempt to Repair and then finally the new Equilibrium.
ReplyDeleteUsing Shaun of the dead as our example we will see how this narrative theory applies to this film.
Starting at the beginning of the film we see our Equilibrium during Liz and Shaun's date night at the Winchester pub, something we learn very quickly that they do every week.
The Disruption happens when Shaun wakes up the next with a hangover as is completely oblivious to the zombie apocalypse that has happened over night.
The Recognition occurs when both Shaun and Ed encounter a zombie in the back garden of their house, running back inside to watch the news when the armless zombie breaks into the house.
The attempt to repair happens when the six of them, as they attempt to kill the infected at the Winchester pub, during this situation, we see Shaun's mother admit to being bit earlier on and turning before Shaun kills the monster his mother has become, and an injured Ed ends up staying behind and inevitably getting bitten and infected, in order to save his friends.
The new equilibrium takes place six months later, the zombies are now used for entertainment purposes, Shaun and Liz are living happily together and zombie Ed is now kept in the shed for Shaun to play video games with at will.
So, in conclusion, the film Shaun of the Dead is perfect for applying Todorov's theory of Narrative, in its structure.