Narrative

The three narrative theories can be applied to this scene from the TV show American Horror Story. This scene can be linked to Todorovs theory of equillibrium. Myrtle Snow is seen as the cause of disequilibrium, as her presence is assumed to be causing disruption and conflict in the Coven, and she is mainly disliked by Fiona the "supreme". Fiona manages to accuse Myrtle of a crime, which leads to her sentence of being burnt at the stake. This creates the New Equilibrium, as the evil forces are defeated (Myrtle). However, when we apply Propp's character theory, Fiona is linked to the False Hero as her character appeared to be good but is revealed to have been bad all along. Barthes enigma and action codes can also be applied to this scene. There are a few enigma codes such as "Will they really burn Myrtle to the stake?" and "Does she really deserve this?", this enigma code is also shown through one of the characters, Zoe, who asks if its "just a joke" which the audience is also wondering. There is an action code halfway through the scene where they tie Myrtle to the stake and douse her with petrol, which makes the audience realise that death is about to follow as the petrol suggests that she is about to be set on fire.

This scene from Nightcrawler has several action codes such as the shoot out in the diner and when the shooter leaves the diner and gets into his car, this suggests to the audience that a car chase and a gun battle is to follow up. Enigma codes are also created as the audience begin to wonder "Will the criminal get away?" "Will Louis get the footage he needs?" and "Are they going to be safe at the end of all this?". It is quite hard to apply Propp's theory to this scene as Louis is quite an odd character who is so strangely committed to his job, and despite him being the protagonist he isn't really the hero as he does many things wrong such as allowing his only friend to die and instead of trying to save him while Nina is dying he rants about his faults and puts his company first instead. However Todorov's theory of equilibrium can be applied as the criminal is eventually caught, which links to new equilibrium, and at the end of the film Louis's company goes large scale. 

The three narrative theories can be applied to this exorcism scene from the movie Deliver Us From Evil. For example, Propp's theory on the stock characters in narratives can be applied into this scene. The priest can be represented as the helper, as he helps the hero (the protagonist) in restoring the resolution through the exorcism. This could not have been done by anyone else, including the protagonist. However, the protagonist is seen as the main hero, as he mainly solved the case of several bizarre events that linked to each other. As the exorcism takes place, the audience get an action code as the possessed man comes in contact with the priest and his cross and he suddenly stands up, the audience becomes aware that there will be a strong resistance that will come from him. Todorov's theory of equilibrium is present in this scene too. The disequilibrium of the events that took place in the film, such as the deaths of many people is eventually solved through the exorcism which leads to the new equilibrium, where the demon that was possessing all these people is removed.