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Tzvetan Todorov believed in the concept of a linear plot, where there are five clear stages within a narrative. The first stage of his theory is known as, the Equilibrium. This is the stage where there is a mutual sense of normality and content; everything is as it should be. The second stage of the theory is the Disruption, which exemplifies an interference of order by a certain event within the plot. Todorov’s third stage was the recognition of the disruption. This is where the character’s come to the realisation that there is a problem that has become a potential threat to their development and journey. The fourth stage is the attempt to repair. This entails the protagonists trying to solve the damage caused by the disruption. The final stage is the New Equilibrium, which exemplifies a restoration of peace, where everything is as it should be.

 

                                                             

 

At this stage, there is a state of normality and all of the characters are content with their lives; there is no stray form the norm. In our film, ‘Calamity’, the Equilibrium begins with the two protagonists, Olivia and Kyle, sitting in bed. There is a feel of normality, however, both characters begin to argue about their future together. This argument could be distinguished as a disruption, therefore this paradoxes Todorov’s theory, due to his belief that there is only one main disruption within a plot.

 

 

 

This stage consists of something running the stories equilibrium and disrupting the calm and orderly atmosphere. Our film has a major plot twist at the end which results in the death of our female protagonist, therefore this is our main disruption. This doesn’t follow Todorov’s narrative theory, because this event occurs right at the end of the plot and therefore would be in place of the new equilibrium.  However, another disruption that leads to the main event is the conflict between Olivia and Kyle. Olivia discusses wanting to start a family with Kyle, but he insists they are too young to be worrying about starting a family. This therefore prompts Olivia to leave.

 

 

 

This stage consists of the characters within the story realising the issues at hand and the problematic effect of this; from this they begin to attempt to make things better.  In our film, Kyle’s recognition that he upset Olivia is exemplified through the letter she leaves him, demonstrating her feelings about wanting a child; if Kyle doesn’t figure out what he truly wants, he will loose her.

 

 

 

The protagonist then tries to repair the damage caused at this stage of the narrative theory. In, ‘Calamity’, Olivia says that she will meet Kyle at Liverpool street station at 1:00. In order to repair the emotional damage he caused, Kyle packs a bag and buys flowers, in order to surprise Olivia so they can start their lives together. He believes in doing this, he will be proving to Olivia that she was wrong about him, and he is serious about their relationship.

 

 

 

This is the final stage of Todorov’s narrative theory where peace is restored and everything is how it should be. Despite this, our film contradicts Todorov’s theory, because the ending results in the death of our main female protagonist after a terrorist attack.  The film ends with Olivia being cut off from saying ‘I love you’, and the audience are left with multiple questions. We do not see Kyle’s reactions to her death; therefore there isn’t a sense of normality in the atmosphere.

 

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Vladimir Propp believed in the concept of having eight fundamental and specific characters within every plot. He suggests that every narrative possesses eight different types of characters in order to exemplify a development and journey within the plot line, whilst allowing the audience to draw up conclusions on the juxtaposition between different character personas e.g. antagonistic and protagnonistic qualities. The villain/the dispatcher/the helper/the princess/the father/the donor/the hero/false hero. Within my narrative, my plot contradicts Propp’s idea of having eight set characters due to the fact I have two main protagonists within my plot.

 

 

 

 There isn’t a physical human villain within my plot, due to both protagonists being in a relationship and loving each other. However, you could suggest that Kyle has some underlying antagonistic traits, due to his mistreatment of Olivia’s feelings about parenthood. The main villain who causes the disruption were the martyrs in the terrorist attack of 07/07, however, they are not physically seen within the plot.

 

 

 

The dispatcher- The dispatcher is the character who sends the hero on their quest to defeat the villain. There isn’t a clear dispatcher within our film, because Olivia chooses to leave Kyle to go and stay with her mother and it is Kyle’s choice alone to go and meet Olivia before it was too late.

 

 

 

The helper- This is the character who helps the hero on their quest. Kyle obtained no help apart from Olivia’s letter with a train ticket and her whereabouts. Therefore, Kyle is on his own with these minute details to find Olivia and spend his life with her.

 

 

 

This is the damsel in distress, in which the hero fights for and deserves throughout the story. The beat the villain resulting in their ‘happily ever after’ [1]. Olivia could be a representation of the princess, because Kyle goes on a journey to find her so they can both share their ‘happily ever after’.

 

 

 

This character sets the hero with the task and marries off the hero and the princess, whilst uncovering the false hero. [1]This character is not established within my plot because Olivia’s family are not mentioned within the narrative and the princess (Olivia) sets Kyle up on a task to meet her, not the father figure.

 

 

 

This is the character that helps the hero with a magical object. Within the plot, Kyle receives a positive pregnancy test which stimulates him to go on his journey to find Olivia, therefore in a sense you could suggest that Olivia is in some form, the donor.

 

 

 

This is the main character within the plot, who goes on a journey to wed the princess. Within my narrative, Kyle could be exemplified as the hero, due to the fact he goes on a journey of finding out he is a father; whilst meeting Olivia before she leaves him for good.

 

 

 

This is the character who takes credit for the hero’s actions and is persistent in wedding the princess. Within our film, ‘Calamity’, there isn’t an evident false hero, because Kyle is the only person who can go on this journey because he is Olivia’s lover. Overall, my film contradicts Propp’s idea of their being eight set characters, because both of my protagonist possess qualities from the various characters within Propp’s concept.

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He was a strong believer in the conception that the ‘action of a text’ [2] can be set into five codes:

 

 

 

 

This is the code that exemplifies the avoidance of the truth in order to denote a sense of mystery. The stories thread is ambiguous, due to the plot giving nothing away. This forces the audience to think for themselves and try to solve the mystery. Our film begins with archive footage of the 07/07 bombings along with a broadcaster explaining the event and the amount of casualties. This scene quickly diverts to a couple in bed having a normal discussion. Going from chaos to a sense of calm and normality creates a mystery due to the juxtaposition of atmosphere. This would make the audience question why the archive footage was shown and who will fall victim to the attack.

 

 

 

The enigma code demonstrates tension within the storyline, where the audience are left to question what is yet to come[2] In, ‘Calamity’, there are many enigmas; small and big. One enigma is the idea of Olivia constantly talking to Kyle about starting a family, despite Kyle’s refusal every time. This could leave the audience questioning why she keeps bringing up such a personal concept; could she be pregnant or could she be in a situation that questions the amount of time she has left with him. Another enigma is the idea of whether Kyle will make it to Olivia in time. We establish Kyle is in a rush to meet Olivia’s before she leaves him for good but the question is whether he will make it in time. When he rings her it goes to voicemail, therefore the audience are left questioning whether she has already left him or if there is hope.

 

 

 

This code has similarities to the semantic code, however, deeper meaning are depicting within this code. New meanings can be created through opposing conflict ideas. An example of this within our film is the idea of pregnancy. Pregnancy connotes new life and the birth of someone new coming into the world. Despite this, due to the events of the terrorist attack, Olivia’s life was lost, therefore the deeper meaning of life and death is reiterated.

 

 

 

This code looks the audience’s knowledge on a wider scale; including moral and cultural ideology [2] our film is based on a real event the 07/07 bombings which affected many people and caused many deaths. We decided to exemplify this event through the eyes of a couple who have experienced it and how they experienced it. At the beginning of our film, there is a news report discussing true facts and figures of this incident, therefore it is a learning curb for the audience ad they get an insight about the vent and became a part of the action.

 

 

 

This code is all about the connotations of the text and the meaning behind certain elements in the plot’s structure. In ‘Calamity’, Kyle finds a pregnancy test which produces connotations of family, suggesting he is going to be a dad. This exemplifies to the audience that Kyle must make a decision; to go against his own wished for the sake of family, or put himself first. As well as this symbol, when Kyle leaves to go and meet Olivia, the camera pans to a framed picture of them both together, which produces connotations of togetherness, painting a portrait that they will live happily ever after. However, the reality of their situation is the death of Olivia leaves Kyle isolated, living his worst nightmare. Kyle also buys flowers for Olivia which connotes love, however they can also connote death. When a loved one dies, one puts flowers on their grave during mourning as a sign of respect. This subtle nuance could foreshadow Olivia’s death.

 

[1] https://www.slideshare.net/jordan_house/vladimir-propp-14561275

[2] https://www.slideshare.net/alexdabriel/barthes-codes-theory

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By Tamia Mullaney-Downer