NARRATIVE

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 Narrative: blog task


Read Media Factsheet 14 - Telling Stories: The Media's Use of Narrative and answer the following questions:

1) Give an example from film or television that uses Todorov's narrative structure of equilibrium, disequilibrium and new equilibrium.

      "The Lion King":

  • Equilibrium: Simba is born and introduced to the Pride Lands where all is peaceful.
  • Disequilibrium: Scar plans Mufasa’s death and Simba is exiled, leading to chaos in the kingdom.
  • New Equilibrium: Simba returns, defeats Scar, and restores peace and order to the Pride Land


2) Complete the activity on page 1 of the Factsheet: find a clip on YouTube of the opening of a new TV drama series (season 1, episode 1). Embed the clip in your blog and write an analysis of the narrative markers that help establish setting, character and plot.

    Stranger things:

Setting:
The show opens in a quiet 1980s neighborhood, full of objects like old TVs and bikes. This tells us it's a sci-fi story set in the past.

  • Visuals: The dark lab contrasts with the warm homes, creating a spooky mood.

Characters:
We meet Will Byers, a shy boy playing with his friends. His curiosity and fear are clear, setting him up as a key character.

  • Dialogue: The boys’ friendly banter shows their close bond.
  • Actions: Will’s scared reaction hints at the danger ahead, making the audience feel for him.

Plot:
The scene ends with Will encountering something strange, kicking off the main mystery of the season, his disappearance.

  • Foreshadowing: The game they play hints at the supernatural events to come.


3) Provide three different examples from film or television of characters that fit Propp's hero character role.

  • Harry Potter from Harry Potter series
  • Frodo Baggins from The Lord of the Rings
  • Luke Skywalker from Star Wars Each of these characters follows the classic hero's journey, embarking on a quest, facing challenges, and achieving some transformation.


    • 4) Give an example of a binary opposition.

    Star Wars: good (the Jedi) vs. Evil (the Sith).


    5) What example is provided in the Factsheet for the way narratives can emphasise dominant ideologies and values?

    The winner often represents the dominant ideas and values of our culture. Example: When the policeman captures the criminal in a crime drama– the ideology of the value of law and order is emphasized.

    7) Write a one-sentence summary of the four different types of TV narrative:

  • Episodic narrative (the series): Each episode has a self-contained story.
  • Overarching narrative (the serial): The story unfolds across episodes and seasons.
  • Mixed narrative: Combines episodic and overarching elements
  • Multi-strand overlapping narrative (soap narrative): Multiple storylines running simultaneously, often unresolved for long periods.

    • 8) How does the Factsheet suggest adverts use narrative?  

    In advertising the idea of the problem and resolution is crucial for a narrative. Often adverts set up a problem and then immediately offer the solution to create a resolution.


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