Narrative Analysis

Narrative Analysis:

Narrative: using media to tell a story. 

Theories:

• Hero – seeks something 

• Villain – opposes the hero

• Donor – helps the hero, often by providing a magical object 

• Dispatcher – sends the hero on his way 

• False hero – falsely assumes the role of the hero    

• Helper – gives support or help to the hero 

• Princess – the reward for the hero 

• Princess’ father 

• The narrative starts with an equilibrium (controlled situation)

• An action / character disrupts the equilibrium

• A quest to restore the equilibrium ensues 

• The narrative moves to a confrontation / climax

• Resolution / equilibrium is restored

Propp- Proposed that there are 8 different character types in a narrative. He also identified 31 different events this theory can fit into. This very rare to see in a music video as it is too short a time to follow this narrative.

Todorov- Suggests that there are two narrative structures linear and circular structures. This is where events are caused by a cause and effect format. (Equilibrium – Disequilibrium – Equilibrium). Stand by me is an example as the girl is fine then she is hospitalised then she gets out of hospital. However, the crime still continues and is out of control.

Barthes- Infers that narrative works with different codes which the reader tries to make sense of. This like little clues that need to be solved and the audience try to solve it. This leads to stuff being solved to a bigger problem. He had 4 codes for this which were:

• Enigma- Refers to mystery within the text. Clues are given throughout the music video and is clear to the audience.
• Action- Used to add suspense to the video.
• Semantic- Where additional meanings are added and the audience make suggestions about it and conspiracy theories. 
• Symbolic- Binary oppositions within the music video.

Examples displayed in oasis- little by little. Enigma used as people would question why the Noel is homeless and who the other man is in the music video and what is he doing. Action is the man going on a walk and coming across Liam helping him through the crowd and a tough time leading to him to end up in a place of happiness and freedom in a field where it is calm. Semantics is oasis trying to say the rich aren't doing anything for the poor helping them out (also the binary opposition) and the audience being able to see this message clearly as Noel is ignored. 

Levi-Strauss- This theory concludes that binary oppositions are used when contrast occurs such as conflict i.e. law and outlaws. An example here is at the start of What a life video the girl is in a bad place and then she ends up in a better place.

These theories listed above can be applied to my final product. This would help me gain a good narrative matching the genre and using the best suited and most appropriate theory to construct the narrative. The ones I am most likely to include is Levi Strauss binary opposition as it is a simple concept for short music video or Barthes by solving a mystery throughout the song. Maybe I'd be able to make a circumstance using Todorov's theory in a short time along to the music using specific lyrics to act it out and the whole situation the song is about. I won't be using Propp's as its too many characters for a short video if it was a movie it would be a suitable concept.