In class we have been studying the narrative theories of Tzevtan Todorov, Vladmid Propp, Claude Levi-Strauss, Bordwell and Thompson. The theories of these individuals try to explain how we (the audience) experience a story and how stories are created in turn around these experiences.
To test these theories, we decided to watch "The Shinning" and see if we could apply these theories and see if they related to the narrative structure of the film.
The first theory we analysed was that of Todorov. Todorov suggested that all stories began with a state of equilibrium that is disrupted by some event which creates a series of other events. In theory this "disequilibrium" should then be restored to a new state of equilibrium by the end of the film.
In the narrative of the shinning, we can certainly apply this theory but (in my oppinion) not to a credible extent
We start the film indeed with an arguable state of equilibirum (Jacks an author, lives with his wife and child who live fairly normal lives) that can only be challenged when it is suggested that the family move around alot and havent found time to establish routes (albeit this too can be argued as their form of equilibrium). In the end however no state of Equilibrium is ever achieved as Danny and his Mother drive off into the distance to an uncertain future...
Vladmire Propp suggested that every story had characters which would fulfill a role within the story to help progress the story. These include the Villain, Hero, Donor, Helper, Princess, Father, Dispatcher and the False Hero.
Whilst Propp is certainly applicable in certain areas of the Shinning (e.g. the Princess clearly being Dannys mother), many of the roles are far too ambiguous to be effective (e.g. Jack can be seen as the Villain and a sort of "Hero-victim at the same time) creating a confusing analysis
Levi-Strauss analysed stories from the point of view that they all had Binary Opposites (e.g. Light vs Dark). This is certainly an applicable element to the shinning, as evidenced by the common case of Natural vs Supernatural, Good vs Evil and Living vs Dead themes that reccur consistently throughout the film.
Vladmire Propp suggested that every story had characters which would fulfill a role within the story to help progress the story. These include the Villain, Hero, Donor, Helper, Princess, Father, Dispatcher and the False Hero.
Whilst Propp is certainly applicable in certain areas of the Shinning (e.g. the Princess clearly being Dannys mother), many of the roles are far too ambiguous to be effective (e.g. Jack can be seen as the Villain and a sort of "Hero-victim at the same time) creating a confusing analysis
Levi-Strauss analysed stories from the point of view that they all had Binary Opposites (e.g. Light vs Dark). This is certainly an applicable element to the shinning, as evidenced by the common case of Natural vs Supernatural, Good vs Evil and Living vs Dead themes that reccur consistently throughout the film.
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