Narrative Theory: Barthes and Propps

Roland Barthes 

Barthes described all texts as complex 'bundles' of meaning which can be unravelled to create a whole range of meanings. He suggested that texts can be open, closed or polysemic.

Open texts:

Open texts have numerous 'threads to pull'. Examples of open texts include Christopher Nolan's Dark Knight Rises and Inception as the endings are left ambiguous - the audience are unsure as to whether the protagonists have survived.

Closed texts: 

Closed texts have only one obvious thread to grasp. The resolution is clear and so many films use a closed text.

Polysemic:

Polysemic texts can be read in numerous ways and the audience often form several interpretations of the text. Examples of Scarface interpretations include:

• A glorification of violence
• "Rags to Riches" story
• A critique of the values of the 1980s, the issues of greed and consumption

Narrative codes

The 'threads' that Barthes referred to are known as narrative codes. The most significant of these codes us the enigma code with his constructed to attract and hold the attention of the audience. This is normally done by creating a mystery or puzzle that the audience want to see solved. It is usually introduced in the disruption phase of Todorov's narrative model.

Applying the theory to "Stan"

"Stan" by Eminem can also be analysed using Barthes' theory. It is a closed text because we see the clear resolution of "Stan" driving his car off of a bridge and into a river, killing both him and his partner. Their deaths are confirmed with a scene in a cemetery and a scene of a news report at the end of the music video. 

Propps

Vladimir Propps analysed folk stories and identified eight key character roles. At times, characters may exhibit traits of just one or even several of these roles.

1. The Hero (Protagonist)
2. The Villain (Antagonist)
3. The Donor (Provider)
4. The Helper (Assistant)
5. The Father Figure (Gives advice and important information)
6. The Dispatcher (Sends hero on the missions)
7. The Princess
8. The False Hero

An example of a film that provides characters for each of the roles is Star Wars.

1. The Hero - "Luke Skywalker/Han Solo"
2. The Villain - "Darth Vader"
3. The Donor - "Obi-Wan Kenobi"
4. The Helper - "R2D2, C3PO, Chewbacca"
5. The Father Figure - "Obi-Wan Kenobi"
6. The Dispatcher - "Princess Leia"
7. The Princess - "Princess Leia"
8. The False Hero - "Han Solo"

With Eminem's "Stan", it can be said that the roles between the hero and villain vary. For Stan, Eminem is his hero however when the fan mail goes missing and Eminem does not receive it, he becomes a villainous character in Stan's eyes. It can therefore be argued that Eminem is the false hero. For Dido, the villain is Stan and Eminem at the same time because he mistreats her and neglects their relationship due to his obsession. In my opinion, the provider, donor, helper, father figure, dispatcher is Eminem because he (unintentionally) causes Stan to behave in certain ways and guides him through his actions. Although I do not think there is a princess as such, it could be said that Dido is the princess, needing help and attention from Stan.