Events, Characters

In this learning unit we will try to analyze the role of events in filmic narrative, as well as the construction of fictional characters through characterization.

Let’s start with the events

Events

We define in the introduction narrative as a

Chain of events in cause-effect relationship occurring in time and space.

When we are reading a novel or watching a film – we are witness of a series of events that happen in precise locations, real or imaginary locations, during a period of time, which, again, can be historical or ahistorical time.

We will use Jackob Lothe’s definition of event.This author defines event as

an integral part of the action: it involves a change or a transition from one situation to another, and this transition is caused or experienced by one or more characters.

An event does not necessarily need to something dramatic or spectacular.

PLOT

Hayden White describes plot as

the structure of relationships by which the events contained in the account are endowed with a meaning by being identified as parts of an integrated whole.”

Functions of Events

Vladimir Propp

Events are more important that characters.

Characters can be interchangeable in some genres.

Stories always start with an event that produces some change.

– A king gives a horse to a hero. The horse carries the hero to another Kingdom. – A sorcerer gives Ivan an eagle. The eagle carries Ivan to another world. – A priest gives a boat to Jonah. The boat carries Jonah to another country.

Roland Barthes

KERNELS vs CATALYSTS

The KERNEL is a cardinal function which promotes the action by giving the character one or more alternative to choose between.

A CATALYST accompanies and complements the kernel, BUT does not have any direct consequence, any impact on the development of the story.

Characters

Characters are part of the fictional world, and thus, they are constructed.

Linguistically or visually constructed.

Filmic characters have an iconic power.

Even when characters are based on historical persons, they are still a construct, and we do not expect them to act as the historical characters we may have actually done.

Etymology of Character:

mark / distinctive quality /mask

An identity that has been artificially constructed by the author.

The author is the creator.

The character, his or her creature.

CHARACTER AND PLOT

According to Jackob Lothe, the concepts of character and plot are mutually dependent on each other.

In narrative theory, progression is synonym with character development.

In this regard, E. M. Forster differentiates between:

Round and Flat character

Round Character: A character who develops and changes.

Flat Character : A character who does not develop, remains the same throughout the story.

Characterization

The process of creating, giving life to a character.

According to Lothe, it is through characterization that the characters are introduced, shaped, and developed.

Direct definition vs Indirect presentation

Characterization through dialogues

Pulp Fiction (Quentin Tarantino, 1994)

HETEROGLOSSIA

(Mikhail Bakhtin)

Double-voiced discourse.

Literary authors and filmmakers develop one of the characters of the story to parody what this character takes seriously.

Example of Heteroglossia: One, Two, Three (Billy Wilder, 1961)

Repetition

TRANSTEXTUALITY and  INTERTEXTUALITY

TRANSTEXTUALITY

Repetition within one author’s work.

INTERTEXTUALITY

References in a fictional narrative to previous literary or filmic works of fiction.