Tzveten Todorov discovered that folk and fairy tales all followed a very similar structural pattern. This became known as the Classical Narrative Pattern. This pattern is applicable to mainstream films and TV dramas today. Vladimir Propp proposed that there are distinctive character types and actions in all fairy tales and this is often applied to other stories as well although both theories are not always accurate.
The Classic Narrative Patten works like this :
Equilibrium - Life is normal for the characters and they are all happy living life.
Disruption - The happy equilibrium is spoilt by a bad action/event which makes the characters unhappy and angry.
Resolution - The disruption is solved.
Restored Order - Happiness and a normal life is back.
New Equilibrium - Problem is solved and we return to a new type of Equilibrium.
The Tzeveten Todorov Theory applies to the classic Fairy tale Little Red Riding Hood.
The Vladimir Propp Theory applies to another fairy tale Three Little Pigs. The three pigs are the victims and the big bad wolf is the villan.
The Tzeveten Todrov Theory applies to the blockbuster 'The Impossible' .
- Family are happy on holiday (Equilibrium)
- A Tsunami ruins holiday and they are split up (Disruption)
- They find each other again (Resolution)
- They get treatment for injuries (Restored Order)
- They then are flew home together alive, well and happy. (New Equilibrium)
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