C/MD/31. Comparative study of the narrative theories of Todorov and Barthes with reference to Hitchcock's 'Spellbound'

This is a narrative enquiry that compares and contrasts the theories of Barthes and Todorov with special reference to the narrative style in Hitchcock's 'Spellbound'. The plot of the story reveals a deep psychoanalytic pattern of events that unfolds to show what could be called as a 'state of disruption or disequilibrium' in Todorov's terms and this would finally give way to a state of new equilibrium so Todorov's theory of narrative would fit in comfortably in the analysis to highlight the mystery and strange twists in the tale. Barthes' narrative theory highlights the role of language, meanings, symbols, signifiers, as also the structure of the narrative with its actions and functions suggesting the importance of the components and what the viewers perceive, so in this case, a 'subjective objective' distinction is important. A structural analysis of the plot of the film from Barthes' viewpoint and a functional analysis with Todorov's theory are both considered in this analysis.