Stages in Todorov's Theory
Equilibrium - A state in which opposing forces or influences are balanced
Disruption - Disturbance or problems which interrupt an event, activity, or process.
Recognition of Disruption - The main character figures out the disruption.
Attempt to Fix Disruption - The main character attempts to fix the disruption.
New Disruption/Equilibrium - The main character either fixes the disruption or makes a new disruption.
Apply Todorov's Theory To Homelands
Equilibrium -
- Set in Baghdad
- Carrie Mathison (played by Clare Danes)CIA agent
Disruption -
- Washington (US)
- Carrie has a bipolar disorder
- American agent Brodie thought dead, was really alive
- Main Disruption - An agent has been turned(Brodie) that's returning to America(Carrie to Saul)
- Brodie's wife and best friend are having an affair
- Brodie's teenage daughter is smoking bong's
- Brodie has come back (PTSD or nervous?)
- Carrie is happy to break rules (surveillance on Brodie without permission)
- Sex = Bad
Recognition of Disruption -
Attempt to Fix Disruption -
New Disruption/Equilibrium -
Evaluate the relevance of Todorov's theory of narratology to long form television drama.
Todorov's narrative theory for long form television drama shows the meaning and messages of the episode. Todorov's theory is used for mostly films, it could also be applied for long form television drama but does contain some limitations especially when it comes to the drama Homeland as it's likely to start a new equilibrium. His theory includes the equilibrium, disruption, recognition of disruption, attempt to fix disruption, and new equilibrium (or disruption if it's a TV drama). The equilibrium is the start of the TV drama of film where everything is balanced and nothing bad has happened yet. Disruption is where the balance is changed as something bad has happened, casing drama. The main character will recognise the disruption, so they'll try to fix it (attempt to fix disruption) so they can become balanced again. After that's happened they'll be a new equilibrium where everything is back to normal again, or if it's a TV drama there'll be a new disruption so engage the audience to continue to watch the show.
Todorov's theory can be shown at the start of Homeland as the equilibrium is set in Baghdad which would automatically set the audience on edge as it's the capital of Iraq which is know for being dangerous but the main character (Carrie Mathison), a CIA agent, and her mission gets closed down so therefore she has to come back to Washington. Homelands is a crime drama which follows the conventions of the equilibrium as the opening is dramatic but that's Carrie's balanced life, which engages the audience as there's an automatic suspense in the drama, making them feel obliged to watch the show.
DIRT - Review your presonalized differentiated learning targets and make any relevant improvements to your Todorov narrative essay introduction.
Good notes (very well presented and colour codes work well), well done! Essay Targets:
ReplyDelete1) Intro: explain the four parts of the theory in your introduction to clearly demonstrate your knowledge of the theory.
P1) Explain that Homelands follows crime drama conventions in terms of equilibrium choice by starting with a dramatic opening that creates some questions for the reader to keep them interested & include more detail concerning narrative/characters.