A narrative is a story that can be in the form of tv, film, song etc. A narrative tells of a fictional or non fictional chain of events. The narrative code is the way in which the film maker chooses to present the story or chain of events to the audience in an interesting way. A non-linear narrative is a narrative in which the story isn’t presented in a step by step or chronological fashion. An example of this would be Pulp Fiction. Linear is different as the chain of events are shown in a smooth chronological fashion.
Todorov argued that the basis of every narrative followed a specific structure. Equilibrium, Disequilibrium, and Resolution. The equilibrium is the initial point in the story, it gives a brief summary of all points past and sets the scene for the narrative. The disequilibrium is when the peace is disrupted by a force, often the antagonist directly. The resolution is the point at which the issue faced in the disequilibrium is resolved and the initial peace in the equilibrium is re-established.
Propp decided that there were few musts that each narrative needed to have. This would be the villain that causes an issue that needs resolution; A hero (usually male) who is the main protagonist and eventually brings the story back to equilibrium; The donor who gives the hero something important that helps them reach the resolution; The helper who by definition helps the hero; the princess who needs to be saved by the hero often during the climax; and the false hero who is thought to be good throughout the story but turns out to be bad near the end of the narrative.
Barthes proposed the enigma code. An element of the story is introduced but not explained. This often happens at the beginning of the narrative and a great deal of the story is spent trying to solve the mystery. Elements of the story are held back from the audience to keep them guessing and interested in the goings on of the story. A good example of this is detective story genre.
