Narrative Theory

This is our potential plot...

• A zombie virus breaks out which is transferred through bites
• The teenage protagonists are at school when they learn about the virus
• They leave the school with a large group of their peers
• The large group gradually get killed off until only the main three characters remain
• A love triangle emerges between the main characters Sebastian (Seb), Samantha (Sam) and Jason
• They get into trouble and Jason sacrifices himself so Seb and Sam can survive
• They do escape but they are split up and the film ends with them searching for each other

After analysing our zombie plot we have discovered that it doesn't follow normal narrative theories. Such as Todorov's theory which states that narratives are structured in five stages:

1. a state of equilibrium at the outset
2. a disruption of the equilibrium by some action
3. a recognition that there has been a disruption
4. an attempt to repair the disruption
5. a reinstatement of the equilibrium

This is because our plot has an ambiguous ending and so it does not end with equilibrium. However it does follow the conventions of Freytag's dramatic structure, as it ends with a catastrophe and Levi-Strauss' binary opposition with the obvious conflict of humans vs zombies.

Freytag's Dramatic Structure

1. Exposition
2. Rising Action
3. Climax
4. Falling Action
5. Denouement/Catastrophe/Resolution

As previously stated our film does not follow most narrative theories though this diverting from the norm is a convention of the genre of zombie films.