Wednesday 8 February 2017

Tzvetan Todorov: 01/03/1939 - 07/02/2017



We're deeply saddened to announce the death of Tzvetan Todorov. A noted narratologist and semiotician (among many other disciplines!), Todorov will almost certainly be most familiar to A-level Media students through his theory of narrative equilibrium. This idea suggests that Western narratives typically follow a three (or five) act narrative structure, where an equilibrium or state of balance is established, before being disrupted, thus beginning a series of conflicts. This is typically resolved through a partial restoration of the equilibrium. 

This staple theory has its limitations, which makes it excellent to critique when applying to a Media text.

Do remember that Todorov is associated with many theories, not just narrative equilibrium (or even narrative!). Film Studies students may be familiar with his writing on horror and fantasy narratives, and if you haven't encountered his theory on classical Hollywood narrative, it's probably because you'll be covering it in Media very soon!