Narrative Equilibrium – Tzvetan Todorov (Blog Post 7)

 

    

Mission Impossible - Rogue Nation (2015)

(5) Proppian characters 

Hero- Ethan Hunt  

Villain archetype- The members on the plane and pilot 

Princess archetype- Big box on plane

The dispatcher- The man at the base guiding the mission  

 

The helper- The man in the grass and the crew watching the diagrams 

 

Equilibrium- Stopping threats before they get out of hand 

 

Disruption- The threat on the plane forcing Ethan into action 

 

New Equilibrium- The threat is on and the mission is in progress, Ethan is engaged 

 

In medias res- This extract begins in action with the plane already in motion and the mission starting 

 

Multiperspective narrative- All view points connect to the same plot, with Ethan outside the plane, one teammate hacking the doors, and another monitoring the coordinates to ensure Ethan's safety as well as the success of the mission.

(6)

The extract suggests that heroic intervention is essential to maintain order during chaotic moments. We see Ethan Hunt clinging to the side of a plane while his team remains on land hacking the systems and providing additional support, which highlights the disruption and the team's desperate attempts to restore balance. Therefore, the extract conveys that in times of great danger, a “heroic equilibrium” can only achieved through risk, teamwork, and determination to reestablish security.