Propp's Narrative Theory
Vladimir Propp claimed that the characters in a narrative could be classified into certain roles.
The hero - Mostly the main character. The role of this character is to restore the narrative back into equilibrium.
The Dispatcher - The character who sends the hero to restore equilibrium.
The princess/reward - The princess/reward needs to be rescued by the hero to restore back equilibrium in the narrative.
The Villain - The cause of disruption of the equilibrium. Usually, the hero needs to defeat the villain in order to restore back equilibrium.
The Donor - The character who gives the hero something which he will later on use to restore equilibrium.
The Helper - Helps and assists the hero throughout the journey of restoring equilibrium.
The False Hero - Acts like a hero in the beginning but deceives the hero and acts like the villain later on.
The hero - Mostly the main character. The role of this character is to restore the narrative back into equilibrium.
The Dispatcher - The character who sends the hero to restore equilibrium.
The princess/reward - The princess/reward needs to be rescued by the hero to restore back equilibrium in the narrative.
The Villain - The cause of disruption of the equilibrium. Usually, the hero needs to defeat the villain in order to restore back equilibrium.
The Donor - The character who gives the hero something which he will later on use to restore equilibrium.
The Helper - Helps and assists the hero throughout the journey of restoring equilibrium.
The False Hero - Acts like a hero in the beginning but deceives the hero and acts like the villain later on.
Todorov' s Narrative Theory
Todorov believed that a narrative progresses in 5 stages:
- equilibrium
- disruption of equilibrium
- recognition of the disruption of equilibrium
- an attempt to repair disruption
- a restoration of a new equilibrium
Hypodermic Needle/Syringe Theory
The hypodermic needle/syringe theory suggests that mass media has a compelling influence on the audience. It implies that mass media could 'inject' messages to the audience, almost like brainwashing them. It is designed to trigger a desired response from the audience. The messages are injected straight into the heads of a passive audience, this will then immediately influence them.
Reception Theory
(1) Dominant reading - A reading the producer is looking for. e.g positive feedback/reaction. When the audience agrees with what they are seeing.
(2) Negotiated reading - When the audience is questioning what they are seeing. (active audience)
(3) Oppositional reading - When the audience is against what they are seeing.
(2) Negotiated reading - When the audience is questioning what they are seeing. (active audience)
(3) Oppositional reading - When the audience is against what they are seeing.
Uses of Gratifications Theory
Uses and gratifications theory provides an understanding of why and how a media audience seek out to a specific media to satisfy their personal needs. Blumler and Katz divided the different reason why into 4 groups, which are:
(1) Escapism - When an audience is using the media to get away or escape from reality of their life. This makes them think of something else that can make them feel personally better.
(2) Personal relationships - Forming a relationship with the media or with other people consuming the same media. This allows the audience to form a conversation relating the media, acts as a form of companionship.
(3) Personality identity - When the audience is able to identify themselves or find out something about themselves. They can do this by relating themselves with the characters present in the media. This further allows the audience to be able to position themselves in society.
(4) Surveillance - The concept that makes an audience feel safe as they know what's going on around them.
*(5) Simple entertainment - When an audience is simply bored so they turn to different medias e.g TV shows.
(1) Escapism - When an audience is using the media to get away or escape from reality of their life. This makes them think of something else that can make them feel personally better.
(2) Personal relationships - Forming a relationship with the media or with other people consuming the same media. This allows the audience to form a conversation relating the media, acts as a form of companionship.
(3) Personality identity - When the audience is able to identify themselves or find out something about themselves. They can do this by relating themselves with the characters present in the media. This further allows the audience to be able to position themselves in society.
(4) Surveillance - The concept that makes an audience feel safe as they know what's going on around them.
*(5) Simple entertainment - When an audience is simply bored so they turn to different medias e.g TV shows.