Narrative with example of the film 'Salt' (2010)

There are several types of narrative, from various people. For example, there is the 'Todorov Theory'. Tzvetan Todorov was a Bulgarian structuralist linguist who suggested that stories follow a particular pattern:

-Equilibrium (normality).

-Disequilibrium (something happens which upsets normality).

-New Equilibrium (the new form of normality, which is not always good).

These three steps are easily recognisable in contemporary Hollywood Blockbusters. This particular theory makes for an easier viewing experience, the audience can clearly see what is happening, because of the blatantly obvious separation of circumstance.

There is also Vladimir Propp, a Russian critic and theorist who examined hundreds of examples of folk tales to see if they shared any structures. He identified 8 character roles:

1. The Villain(s)

2. The Hero

3. The Donor - who provides an object with some magic object

4. The Helper - who aids the hero

5. The Princess - reward for the hero and the object of the Villain's schemes

6. Princess' Father - who rewards the hero

7. The Dispatcher - who sends the hero on his way

8. The False Hero - who takes the Hero's credit and tries to 'get the girl'.

This particular theory is used most of the time in Fairy tales, and films aimed more specifically at a younger audience or children. Thus a lot of animated films use this particular theory, the more characters involved in a plot line, the more this theory is used.

The 2010 film 'Salt' starring Angelina Jolie was a big Hollywood blockbuster, and used Todorov's theory, similar to most Hollywood blockbusters. Evelyn Salt is the protagonist, depicted as a CIA agent living in Washington DC with a husband and steady career. (Equilibrium). Salt is then accused of being a Russian spy by a Russian walk-in from the streets of Washington, causing her colleagues to turn against her, forcing her to escape to check the safety of her husband. (Disequilibrium). When Salt finds out that her husband has been taken, she is alone against the CIA - her previous colleagues - and the plot unwraps as she attempts to outwit her various enemies, with disguises and clever planning. (New Equilibrium). The new equilibrium continues at the end of the film, when she reveals the truth to the CIA who let her go and she is still alone against the people who caused the problems in the first place.