Todorov's Equilibrium Theory
Todorov's theory is that in a film or story, the power is in a state of equilibrium (balance.) He believes that as the story progresses the state of equilibrium can change, giving one person more power or authority over another throughout the plot, keeping the audience entertained. Each story should start with an initial Status Quo/Power set up of a person or within a group. This person or group has authority over others. However, the equilibrium is changed after a disruption, resulting in a disequilibrium. The old equilibrium is broken, and therefore a new one must begin. This will repeat during the narrative until we reach a final equilibrium.
He believes the theory to progress in five stages;
1. There is an equal balance and initial equilibrium.
2. The equilibrium is disrupted by an event. (Disequilibrium)
3. There is recognition of the disruption occurring.
4. There is an attempt to repair the damage done by the disruption.
5. A return or restoration of a new equilibrium at the end of the narrative.
Throughout the story there are many attempts to restore or find a new equilibrium which is what drives the narrative, although the final equilibrium does not have to be the same as the initial equilibrium. Often, the original status quo is restored, however this expectation is sometimes broken (especially in the horror genre, whether totally or partially breaking the theory.)
Applying the Equilibrium Theory to The Lion King
Initial Equilibrium; Mufasa is in power of the Pride Lands and is King of the lions. He is looked up to by all the animals.
Disruption; Scar kills his brother, Mufasa.
New Equilibrium; Mufasa's only son, Simba, is next in line. He is the new King of Pride Rock.
Disruption; Scar blames Simba for the death of his father, and convinces him to run away and never return.
New Equilibrium; Scar takes over the Pride Lands with the help of the hyenas. He neglects all the animals, who migrate from the area. The lions and hyenas are under his reign for years.
Disruption; There are no more animals for the lions and hyenas to feed from, and the river has run dry. They will die if this is not fixed, so Nala the lioness (who is betrothed to marry Simba) goes to find help. She stumbles across Simba whilst hunting, who has made a new life living off bugs in the forest with his friends Timone and Pumbaa (a meerkat and a warthog) She tells Simba of Scar's reign back home, and Simba returns to the Pride Lands.
Final Equilibrium; Simba overthrows Scar, who confesses it was him who killed Mufasa. Simba is willing to let Scar live if he leaves the Pride Lands, but Scar has other plans. In an attempt to kill Simba, he falls too his death and Simba is made the rightful King, and a final equilibrium is restored.
Applying the Equilibrium Theory to Little Red Riding Hood (Notes)
Initial equilibrium/Status Quo – Parents in control (set a path)
1)
- Red goes off the path to pick flowers – First moment of disruption.
- New equilibrium – Red begins to disobey parents and explore freedom.
- Wolf arrives and lusts after her basket of goodies – Disruption/New equilibrium.
New equilibrium – Wolf has tempted Red (Taken her from parents path)
2)
- Wolf eats Granny and eats her.
- Wolf becomes Granny – Disruption.
- Red arrives at Grannies.
- Red is suspicious and has doubt. Wolf reassures her – Disruption.
- Wolf attempts to ‘eat’ Red.
- Red flees – New equilibrium; Red is in danger, temporary safety, perused.
- Meets woodcutter – big ‘axe’ – Slices Wolf up –Disruption.
- Granny pops out – surprise! – Disruption.
Todorov's theory is that in a film or story, the power is in a state of equilibrium (balance.) He believes that as the story progresses the state of equilibrium can change, giving one person more power or authority over another throughout the plot, keeping the audience entertained. Each story should start with an initial Status Quo/Power set up of a person or within a group. This person or group has authority over others. However, the equilibrium is changed after a disruption, resulting in a disequilibrium. The old equilibrium is broken, and therefore a new one must begin. This will repeat during the narrative until we reach a final equilibrium.
He believes the theory to progress in five stages;
1. There is an equal balance and initial equilibrium.
2. The equilibrium is disrupted by an event. (Disequilibrium)
3. There is recognition of the disruption occurring.
4. There is an attempt to repair the damage done by the disruption.
5. A return or restoration of a new equilibrium at the end of the narrative.
Throughout the story there are many attempts to restore or find a new equilibrium which is what drives the narrative, although the final equilibrium does not have to be the same as the initial equilibrium. Often, the original status quo is restored, however this expectation is sometimes broken (especially in the horror genre, whether totally or partially breaking the theory.)
Applying the Equilibrium Theory to The Lion King
Initial Equilibrium; Mufasa is in power of the Pride Lands and is King of the lions. He is looked up to by all the animals.
Disruption; Scar kills his brother, Mufasa.
New Equilibrium; Mufasa's only son, Simba, is next in line. He is the new King of Pride Rock.
Disruption; Scar blames Simba for the death of his father, and convinces him to run away and never return.
New Equilibrium; Scar takes over the Pride Lands with the help of the hyenas. He neglects all the animals, who migrate from the area. The lions and hyenas are under his reign for years.
Disruption; There are no more animals for the lions and hyenas to feed from, and the river has run dry. They will die if this is not fixed, so Nala the lioness (who is betrothed to marry Simba) goes to find help. She stumbles across Simba whilst hunting, who has made a new life living off bugs in the forest with his friends Timone and Pumbaa (a meerkat and a warthog) She tells Simba of Scar's reign back home, and Simba returns to the Pride Lands.
Final Equilibrium; Simba overthrows Scar, who confesses it was him who killed Mufasa. Simba is willing to let Scar live if he leaves the Pride Lands, but Scar has other plans. In an attempt to kill Simba, he falls too his death and Simba is made the rightful King, and a final equilibrium is restored.
Applying the Equilibrium Theory to Little Red Riding Hood (Notes)
Initial equilibrium/Status Quo – Parents in control (set a path)
1)
- Red goes off the path to pick flowers – First moment of disruption.
- New equilibrium – Red begins to disobey parents and explore freedom.
- Wolf arrives and lusts after her basket of goodies – Disruption/New equilibrium.
New equilibrium – Wolf has tempted Red (Taken her from parents path)
2)
- Wolf eats Granny and eats her.
- Wolf becomes Granny – Disruption.
- Red arrives at Grannies.
- Red is suspicious and has doubt. Wolf reassures her – Disruption.
- Wolf attempts to ‘eat’ Red.
- Red flees – New equilibrium; Red is in danger, temporary safety, perused.
- Meets woodcutter – big ‘axe’ – Slices Wolf up –Disruption.
- Granny pops out – surprise! – Disruption.