Narrative Task

1) Film Clip: Man of Steel

Barthes Narrative Theory: 

Enigma Code- Why did the villain (General Zod) try to destroy Earth and what will he gain from doing this?

Action Code- The action of General Zod taking off his armour suggests that he wants to fight Superman by showing his true strength without any armoured protection (show his dominance). Moreover, the action of General Zod flying upwards shows to the audience that he is challenging Superman's authority by flying above his which suggests to the audience that he wants to be seen as very powerful.

Todorov Narrative Theory:

Clip/Scene begins at a disequilibrium as the dilemma is already present at the beginning of the clip which reveals that the scene didn't start with an equilibrium. However, towards the ending of the clip, Superman defeats General Zod and a new equilibrium is set in. This restores the balance in tension as well as in the story.  

Propp- Character Theory:

The Viallian - General Zod

The Princess - The Family

Hero - Superman (Protagonist) 

2) T.V Clip: The Flash

Barthes Narrative Theory:

Enigma Code- Why did the man in yellow kill Barry Allen's mother. 

Who's going to win?

Action Code- No action code present during this clip

Todorov Narrative Theory:

The scene beings at an equilibrium as the beginning of the clip seemed to be a normal day in the eyes of the protagonist (Barry/Flash) and the storyline seems normal. A few seconds into the clip Barry seeing the man in yellow triggers the disequilibrium as the villain has appeared and has altered the story line and has created a problem. There is no new equilibrium as the hero hasn't defeated the villain and the therefore the disequilibrium has not finished. 

Propp- Character Theory:

The Villain- The Man in Yellow/Reverse Flash

The Dispatcher- Barry Allen

The Hero- The Flash

3) Film Clip: Transformers (1)

Barthes Narrative Theory:

Enigma Code- Why is Megatron trying to destroy Earth? 

Will Megatron be defeated?

Action Code- When Megatron releases his lasher, it signifies that he is about to attack Sam in attempt to get the Allspark. The action of Megatron jumping down the building suggests to the audience that he wants to fight Optimus Prime and want's to create a problem. Moreover, when the army soldier places a laser at Blackout (helicopter Transfomrer)  it suggests that they are going to fire a weapon at it and when Blackout sees the laser is signifies that he is about fire his weapon and attack. Finally, when Sam stands up and ignored Optimus's request it suggests he is trying to kill Megatron using the Allspark (Cube).

Todorov Narrative Theory:

The scene begins with no equilibrium and and begins with a disequilibrium as we witness/see the villain trying to kill the protagonist. Further on, in the scene there is the new equilibrium set in place when the protagonist kills/deals with the villain which restores harmony and the storyline is settled again. 

 Propp- Character Theory:

The Villain- Megatron

The Doner- Optimus Prime

The Helper- Optimus Prime

The Princess- The Earth and Sam

The Dispatcher- The Autobots

The Hero- Optimus Prime and Sam