Todorov Narrative

Todorov suggested that conventional narratives are structured in five stages:
1. a state of equilibrium at the outset; 
2. a disruption of the equilibrium by some action; 
3. a recognition that there has been a disruption; 
4. an attempt to repair the disruption; 
5. a reinstatement of the equilibrium 

This type of narrative structure is very familiar to us and can be applied to many 
‘mainstream’ film narratives.