Elise Thompson

Narrative Theory
The narrative theory for our production is complicated; it follows a circular
narrative however when it returns the beginning the opening sequence is
manipulated to highlight the protagonists mental illness. The flashbacks/Eves
inner thought also takes away from the linear transition of the narrative. The
main narrative theory presented is Barthes symbolic and enigma code, all of the
characters Eve sees within the opening sequence are symbolic to his changes in
behaviour during the day, their semantic behaviour has a deeper meaning to
Eves life. The enigma code is also present throughout the production as the
audience wonder about the other characters within the text and why they are
presented the way they are, their question is only answered at the end when
they see that Eve was deluded.
Levi Strauss narrative theory of binary oppositions can also be seen in our
production. The characters Myles and Emel have conflict between them and
therefore the opposition Male vs Female is present. In a wide shot the audience
can view Myles grabbing Emel by her hair representing her as weak this is a
stereotypical representation of females and this could be suggestive of why
Adam does not latch on to her inner emotions as she is too weak of a character
to attach to. Another opposition between the sane vs the insane is presented as
Adam is posed against all the other characters within the production. The
opening sequence of all the characters making eye contact, as well as, entering
the frame from the right side of the screen whereas Adam enters from the left
every time reinforces the opposition between the two different character types.
Todorovs narrative theory of the stages of equilibrium can be applied when
analysing our production, in the beginning equilibrium is present as Eve calmly
walks through the park, disequilibrium is presented when Eve encounters the
duetagonists. The recognition of this disequilibrium is however not noted until
Eve gets home and the impulses begin to take over him. The attempt to repair
the equilibrium is when Eve is deciding whether to jump or whether to take her
pill. Then the restored equilibrium is presented when she takes his pill and is fine
again.