Todorov's Narrative Theory

Todorov studied classic fairy tales and stories. And he believes that narratives moved forward in chronological order with one action following after another. In other words, they have a clear beginning, middle, and end. 

So in the beginning, he explains that there is an equilibrium. Equilibrium is a state where everything is normal a state of balance to say. Everyone is living their normal day-to-day lives. While it's not perfect, it is the life they live. 

But as the movie keeps moving forward disruption then begins, as day-to-day routine started to change. And this is where the conflict started to begin in the story. But before that would happen the acknowledgment of the disruption would appear, This is where the character would find out about the problem and begin the prosses of fixing it. 

After that, this will bring the story to the resolution phase, where the problem has been solved. And a new equilibrium would start to form. The New Equilibrium is a new state of balance that could be better than before or even worse than before.

So In order, it looks like this: 

Equilibrium- Disruption- Recognition of Disruption - Attempt of repair- New Equilibrium

                                                Case Study

*Spoilers If You Haven't Watch This Movie*


                                                                                                                                                         
Tsuneo goes on a day to day basis of studying, working in his part time job on summer break so he can achieve his dream of diving in Mexico so he can see the rare fish whilst Josee spend her days inside of her house or on her wheelchair because of her paralysis. This was the Equilibrium of the story, as the producer try to show the different lifestyle of these two and to show the two different world these people life in on one hand Tsuneo can freely enjoy the world as he wants as he doesn't have a disability 

Tsuneo then would accidently cross path with Josee who accidently fell on to him off her wheelchair. He then get invited by Josee's grandma to their house to eat dinner as it is a thank you to Tsuneo who saved Josee from falling. The grandma then offers a job to Tsuneo to take care of Josee, He didn't accept at first but he agrees as the job would pay him well. This event have created a Disruption to the story as taking care of Josee has changed Tsuneo's day to day life. 

Josee and Tsuneo wouldn't bond at first but after Tsuneo found out Josee's dream of exploring the world around her. and to be free. Tsuneo then started to understand her and would take her anywhere she wanted to go, as he has recognize the cause of the disruption in her. This would start up a good relationship as they both would then to form a liking to one and another. But then Tsuneo would get injured in an attempt to safe Josee from a car accident, which would temporary take away Tsuneo's dream of diving in Mexico. 

Josee and Tsuneo's friends would try and cheer him up so he could recover fast and to motivate him to still try and achieve his dream, They did this by dragging him to see Josee's presentation of a story called The mermaid and the shining wings which tells the journey of these two so far. This was an attempt of repair in the story as Josee and Tsuneo's friends would try and help him to recover fast 

Tsuneo would then recover and would walk again. But before he would go to Mexico he want to confess to Josee that he likes her. They then would meet again in the same place where they accidently meet each other and would confess to each other. Which starts a New Equilibrium in the story where Josee now can explore the world as she wants and Tsuneo traveling to Mexico  and would occasionally visits Josee in his break. 

This movie incorporates many different applicable morals that are highly relevant in our society today. Like showing the difference of being sympathy and the feeling of simply understanding from the animations and the difference within lifestyles. This is a way for the producer to make the audience to reflect the morals that the movie has taught to the audience

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