Tzventan Todorov created a theory that all stories start equal, in balance and normal, until the story line changes and everything turns around which results in a new, different story line.
He concludes the cycle of a story line as: Equilibrium ---> Disequilibrium--->New equilibrium Looking into more detail, these are the stages of a storyline: Stage 1: Equilibrium - all is in order Stage 2: Disruption of the ordered state by an event Stage 3: Realisation of disruption Stage 4: An attempt to repair damage Stage 5: A return to a new equilibrium So, as an example, in the storyline of frozen: Stage 1: All family are living together in a castle Stage 2: Ana and Elsa's parents die on a ship Stage 3: Elsa loses control of her powers as a result Stage 4: Elsa runs away from the castle because her ice powers being uncontrollable and Ana sets off to find her Stage 5: Elsa returns back to the castle, falls in love and everything defrosts How does this relate to The Following? Stage 1: Nancy is protected in the safety of her house, proceeds her usual day to day routine Stage 2: A threatening text is recieved putting Nancy on edge Stage 3: Nancy puts herself at risk and is in danger when walking home alone whilst being followed Stage 4: Nancy attempts to rush home and avoid her ex and any form of danger Stage 5: Nancy returns to the safety of her house and shuts the door behind her |