WJEC/Eduqas GCSE Media Studies Most narratives end with a clear resolution to the disruption, where problems have been solved and there is often a ‘happy ending’ or sense of equilibrium. In addition, something has usually changed so the situation at the end is different from that at the start. Perhaps a threat to a community has been removed or a character has undergone a transformation. Some narratives might not end with a clear resolution. For example: • A news story might be ongoing, so a report on a particular day will not have a definite ending. • An episode of a TV drama series might end on a cliff-hanger to encourage the audience to watch the next episode in order to find out what happens. Theoretical perspectives on narrative Propp’s theory of narrative is one of the two key theories you need to know. (The other is Blumler and Katz’s Uses and Gratifications theory, see page 34.) Learn the main points of the theory and try to apply it to all the media products you study. Top Tip Transformation A major change. Characters are often transformed as a result of events that occur in the narrative. (A character might change their lifestyle after a health scare.) Cliff-hanger A structural device where the narrative is paused at a tense or exciting moment, which encourages the audience to watch the next episode. Quest A mission that a hero has to undertake or a goal that they need to achieve. Protagonist The main character in a narrative; also the hero in many narratives. Antagonist A character who is in opposition to the protagonist; also the villain in many products. Key Terms Find examples of narratives that do not have a clear ‘resolution’. Stretch and Challenge 1.5 Key Theory 1: Propp’s theory of narrative Vladimir Propp was a Russian theorist who studied the narrative structure of Russian folk tales and identified similar features in them. Key elements of his theory, presented in his book The Morphology of the Folktale in 1928, are: • There are 31 key stages in narrative structures, including: • A villain deceives a victim. • A hero is dispatched on a quest. • The hero is given a magical power or object. • The villain is defeated. • The hero marries the ‘princess’. • There are eight main character types that appear in narratives: • Hero – the main character or protagonist who drives the narrative forward and determines the outcome • Villain – the antagonist who acts in opposition to the hero and creates the disruption or conflict • ‘Princess’ – often marries the hero and so can be seen as a ‘prize’ • Father of the ‘princess’ • Donor – gives the hero an important item or object • Helper – assists the hero in the quest • Dispatcher – sends the hero on the quest • False hero – claims to be a hero but is actually dishonest. Superman is an iconic superhero character and a typical Proppian hero. Name three media products where the hero defeats a villain. Quickfire 1.4 Revised Edition 22
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