Todorov's Narrative Theory 1977

5 stages of narrative
1) Equilibrium 2) Disruption of the equilibrium 3) Recognition of the disruption 4) Action: an attempt to repair the damage 5) Resolution: equilibrium (new)

 Most stories have a cyclical nature which follow the Todorov's theory. A narrative might also follow the Freytags pyramid. (story starts off peaceful, but tension builds up towards the middle of the narration. (tip of pyramid) this is then resolved, towards the end of the plot. It is common that a plot might follow both of these narrative theories, in simple narratives, when the series of events is in chronological order there is often a disruption of equilibrium; the purpose of the story-line is to resolve this.

A simple example of this narrative with the family finding a In Finding Nemo the story begins
new home in the Enemy (equilibrium) -Nemo attends a school trip but gets taken by a diver when in open water (disruption) Dad goes looking for Nemo (Recognition) and meets Dory on his journey, he descovers she can read the address on divers goggles and they go looking (Action) he finds Nemo in Sydney and they return home with their new friends (Resolution)

Does this structure apply to the real world? Equilibrium is often disrupted but not resolved.