EQUILIBRIUM/DISEQUILIBRIUM - Tzvetan Todorov
Todorov proposed that a narrative is a fictional environment, which begins with a state of equilibrium; suffers a disruption; creating a disequilibrium before a new equilibrium is achieved at the end of the story.
Todorov suggested that conventional narratives are structured in five stages;
- A state of equilibrium at the outset;
- A disruption of the equilibrium by some action;
- A recognition that there has been a disruption;
- An attempt to repair/resolve the disruption;
- A reinstatement of the equilibrium
Genre Theory
STEVE NEALE - "genre is a repetition with an underlying pattern of variation" which means some generic features must remain the same whilst others can change (or new things can be introduced).
Audience Theory
STAR THEORY - Richard Dyer
Dyer argues that "stars" are not real people but actually constructions (usually shaped by the record companies through styling, advertising, fomulating stories, etc). These stars are seen to promote certain values and beliefs (or ideologies), like particular styles (hair) or trends (twitter) or causes (organ donors). They are usually based around youth and sexuality. Stars provide audiences with a focus for ideas of 'what people are supposed to be like' (e.g. women, thin/beautiful). They may support hegemony by conforming to it (thin/beautiful) or providing difference (fat/still loveable). A stars' video gives a clear indication of their interests, moods, appetites and lifestyle at a particular point in time. These filter through to the audience and affect their own interests/lifestyles. A pop star's persona, therefore, as depicted in terms of character and personality, is a fragile thing which meeds constant nurturing, and is the product of constant discourse between the star and his or her audience.
No comments:
Post a Comment