Narrative Theories.

Vladimir Propp
Vladimir Propp's theory is that stories have similar structure in terms of characters and narrative. According to him there are 8 different character types:

• 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 via a message
• The False Hero – who disrupts the hero’s success by making false claims
• The Helper – who aids the hero
• The Princess – acts as the reward for the hero and the object of the villain’s plots
• Her Father – who acts to reward the hero for his effort

6 parts to the narrative structure:

• Preparation 
• Complication
• Transference
• Struggle
• Return
• Recognition

Tzvetan Todorov

His theory was simple:

1. The narrative starts with everything as it should be (state of equilibrium).
2. The state of equilibrium is disrupted (disequilibrium).
3. A new equilibrium is made at the end of the narrative. 

Roland Barthes

His theory is that a narrative can be broken down into five codes:

1. Action code - Events taking place.
2. Enigma code - Questions raised & answered.
3. Semantic code - Characters & characterisation.
4. Referential code - Information  & explanation.
5. Symbolic code - Connotations of signs.

Claude Levis-strauss

His theory focused on binary opposites of narrative structure and not what order the events came in the plot. Some example of binary opposites include: 

• Good & Evil
• Earth & Space
• Past & Future
• Known & Unknown