Narrative theory

Todorov's equilibrium:
Linear narrative- A narrative which includes a beginning, a middle and an end. It follows the structure of past to present to future.
Nonlinear narrative- A narrative that does not always start at the beginning. Usually these type of films jump around the timeline in which events in the story happen.

Narrative theory- Todorovs equilibrium 

   

However, sometimes horror films use a technique called reverse chronology. This means that the plot is revealed backwards to it normal sequence. This means that the first scene is the end of the narrative.


Barthes' theory of narrative:
Text's need to be unravelled and because of this can have several meanings.
Barthes' theory also states that narratives can be open and closed. Open narratives can be unravelled to have several meanings which are not explicity shown, where as closed narratives show the one ending and there is no other alternative.
Enigma code-  A question which is proposed to the audience at the start of the text and is later answered. These questions allow the audience to be more intrigued in the film.


Bordwell and Thompson:
Narrative consists of chain of events in a cause relationship. (Every effect in a film has a cause).