Todorov's Equilibrium Theory

Tzvetan Todorov was born in Bulgaria and is a well known philosopher.

He had made simple the idea of narrative theory whilst he allowed a more complex interpretation of film texts with his theory of Disequilibrium and Equilibrium.

Todorov's Theory is:

• A state of equilibrium which is everything as it should be
• Disequilibrium which is when it suffers some sort of disruption
• At the end if the narrative a new equilibrium is then produced

There are five stages of the narrative it can progress through:

1. Everything as it is supposed to be (a state of equilibrium)
2. A disruption of that event in the order its supposed to be
3. Recognising that the disorder has happened
4. Repairing or attempting to repair the damage of disruption
5. Restoring to a state of a new equilibrium

Narrative is seen as a circular structure not as a linear structure and attempts to restore the equilibrium drive the narrative along. On the other hand the equilibrium earned at the end of the story isn't the same as the first equilibrium.

Tzvetan Todorov argues that a transformation is involved in the narrative. This is because the subjects are transformed throught the progress of disruption. When disruption occurs it is usually taken place outside the normal social events.

Summary:

• Narratives do not need to be linear but can be
• A transformation will always occurs during the process of the first initial equilibrium to restoration
• Whilst seeking a new equilibrium there can be many disruptions
• The middle period of the narrative can depict actions that happens in everyday habits and routines.