We discussed four different narrative theories in class. These theories were devised by Vladimir Propp, Tzvetan Todorov, Levi Strauss & Bordwell and Thompson. We were then asked to apply each of these theories to Stanley Kubrick's psychological horror 'The Shining' released in 1980 and starring Jack Nicholson.
Propp - Character Functions
Vladmir Propp constructed 31 narrative functions, and 8 different character roles. The 8 character functions were as followed; Hero, Villian, Donor, Helper, The P
rincess, Her Father, Dispatcher and the False Hero. The Shining does contain characters fitting into these roles with Jack fulfilling the roles of both the villain and the false-hero. The young boy, Danny, and his mother, Wendy, both took on the roles of the Hero with Dick Halloran being the donor.
Although this theory can be used for certain films, characters very rarely fall simply into one role, and sometimes not all 8 roles are present in the narrative structure. For example, The Shining does not contain a princess or her father. This could be because the character functions were proposed from Propp's analysis of russian folk tales rather than modern day narratives.
rincess, Her Father, Dispatcher and the False Hero. The Shining does contain characters fitting into these roles with Jack fulfilling the roles of both the villain and the false-hero. The young boy, Danny, and his mother, Wendy, both took on the roles of the Hero with Dick Halloran being the donor.Although this theory can be used for certain films, characters very rarely fall simply into one role, and sometimes not all 8 roles are present in the narrative structure. For example, The Shining does not contain a princess or her father. This could be because the character functions were proposed from Propp's analysis of russian folk tales rather than modern day narratives.
Todorov's theory revolves around the basic premise that at the start of any story, there is an equilibirum, where opposite forces are equal and balanced; Normality. The narrative will then be disrupted by an agent of change creating an enigma, and completely changing the equilibrium. The main protagonist (usually) then embarks on a quest - a path to resolution - which then results in a new equilibrium being found. This theory is sometimes regarde
d as the basic 'Hollywood' narrative as most big films can apply their structure to Todorov's theory. The Shining is no exception. Starting off seemingly normal in the hotel, the enigma is then introduced as weird goings on happen around the hotel and the occupants that appear to be there. The path to resolution results in a new equilibrium where Jack is dead, and Wendy and Danny escape the hotel. Relating to the shining and many other films, the theory is slightly flawed. Not all films have complete closure and are left open ended, although many hollywood movies avoid this. The shining does not end in complete closure, and another film we watched - 'Eden Lake' - doesn't either. Complete closure can only be achieved when the enigma is uncovered; a very rare occurance in horror films.
d as the basic 'Hollywood' narrative as most big films can apply their structure to Todorov's theory. The Shining is no exception. Starting off seemingly normal in the hotel, the enigma is then introduced as weird goings on happen around the hotel and the occupants that appear to be there. The path to resolution results in a new equilibrium where Jack is dead, and Wendy and Danny escape the hotel. Relating to the shining and many other films, the theory is slightly flawed. Not all films have complete closure and are left open ended, although many hollywood movies avoid this. The shining does not end in complete closure, and another film we watched - 'Eden Lake' - doesn't either. Complete closure can only be achieved when the enigma is uncovered; a very rare occurance in horror films.Levi-Strauss - Binary Oppositions
Claude Levi-Strauss developed the idea that in order to understand an idea, you have to know the opposite. For example, to know what is light you have to know what is dark. To know when something is absent, you have to know when something is present. Etc. These ideas of binary oppositions are consistently being utilised in the horror genre, opting for things t
hat people usually consider 'Good', to be 'Evil'. For example, in the film 'It', the evil character is a clown, whicch in western culture is considered to be a loving and happy figure, not a figure of evil. The two young girls in The Shining are an example of Stanley Kubrick playing on the idea of binary oppositions. The girls look sweet and innocent, but when they appear on screen images of blood pouring down elevator shafts etc. flash up suggesting they are a very sinister presence within the hotel. Perhaps the most obvious use of Binary Oppositions though is the battle between Jack and Wendy; a fight between innocence (Wendy) and Evil (Jack).
hat people usually consider 'Good', to be 'Evil'. For example, in the film 'It', the evil character is a clown, whicch in western culture is considered to be a loving and happy figure, not a figure of evil. The two young girls in The Shining are an example of Stanley Kubrick playing on the idea of binary oppositions. The girls look sweet and innocent, but when they appear on screen images of blood pouring down elevator shafts etc. flash up suggesting they are a very sinister presence within the hotel. Perhaps the most obvious use of Binary Oppositions though is the battle between Jack and Wendy; a fight between innocence (Wendy) and Evil (Jack).The problem with this theory is that although binary oppositions can be found in everyday life, throughout some films their is no clear examples of the opposite forces engaging in battle; although Danny's imaginary friend in The Shining could be considered a battle of opposites.
Bordwell & Thompson - Cause & Effect
Bordwell and Thompson proposed the idea that narrative is simply 'a chain of events in cause-effect relationship, occuring in time and space.' This quite elementary theory is not a complete theory of narrative, but instead simply brings up ideas about narratives as a whole. Very similair to the equilbirum theory, the cause and effect theory states that something causes another thing to change, resulting in a new level of normality. The change in situation is
present in most films through a cause-effect relationship, including The Shining. The 'time' element of the theory is present in The Shining because the film regularly shows a black screen before the start of everyday. Each day that passes, Jack becomes more and more mentally unstable as time passes by. Time then begins to lose all meaning as the days are always the same, signified by the same shot of the hotel at the start of everyday, but the behaviour changes and Jack loses control of himself. The effect of Jack getting the job at the hotel, turned out to be the cause of him losing his sanity, his family, and ultimately his life. Its this cause and effect relationship that Bordwell and Thompson relate to.
Bordwell and Thompson proposed the idea that narrative is simply 'a chain of events in cause-effect relationship, occuring in time and space.' This quite elementary theory is not a complete theory of narrative, but instead simply brings up ideas about narratives as a whole. Very similair to the equilbirum theory, the cause and effect theory states that something causes another thing to change, resulting in a new level of normality. The change in situation is
present in most films through a cause-effect relationship, including The Shining. The 'time' element of the theory is present in The Shining because the film regularly shows a black screen before the start of everyday. Each day that passes, Jack becomes more and more mentally unstable as time passes by. Time then begins to lose all meaning as the days are always the same, signified by the same shot of the hotel at the start of everyday, but the behaviour changes and Jack loses control of himself. The effect of Jack getting the job at the hotel, turned out to be the cause of him losing his sanity, his family, and ultimately his life. Its this cause and effect relationship that Bordwell and Thompson relate to. 
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