Mr Brooks - Narrative Theory

Levi Strauss - Binary Opposites

Good v Evil - Mr Brooks v Tracy Atwood

Expert v Amateur - Mr Brooks v Mr Smith

Compulsive v Controlled - Jane Brooks v Mr Brooks

Control v Abandon - Mr Brooks v Mr Brooks

Random v Planned - Jane Brooks v Mr Brooks

Anger v Calm - Tracy Atwood v Mr Brooks

Crazy v Balanced - Mr Brooks v Mr Brooks

Thrill (excite) v Dishearten - Mr Brooks v Mr Brooks

Todorov - Narrative structure

Equilibrium - Mr Brooks in man of the year and he has a nice family life. He's been in control of his problem.

Disruptions - His alter-ego re-appears. He's careless and now Mr Smith appears. His daughter comes back home and brings two problems with her. Tracy Atwood is looking for the thumbprint killer.

Resolution - Mr Smith no longer becomes a problem and neither does Tracy Atwood. He sorts out his daughter's mess. He satisfies his thrill.

New Equilibrium - Mr Brooks identity is still safe. Tracy Atwood's divorce are no longer a problem, her life is no longer threatened. His alter-ego for now is temporarily at a bay.

Barthes - Action and Enigma codes

Action

• Mr Brooks hearing the man in the back seat talking to him
• Mr Brooks watching the people in their dance class
• Mr Brooks getting dressed in black
• Mr Brooks naked in his "studio"
• Tracy Atwood standing in the rain being watched by the woman in the car
• The pick-up driver cutting across Mr Brooks in traffic

Enigma

• Mr Brooks turning the large oven on
• Posing the victims after their dad
• His daughter coming home
• The woman swimming in the pool
• Mr Brooks looking and taking pictures
• Mr Brooks copying the key
• Mr Brooks conversation with his alter-ego before he flies away on the plane

Propp - Character Types

Antagonist - Mr Brooks

Protagonist - Mr Brooks

Helper - Alter-ego, Mr Smith

Donor - Alter-ego, Mr Smith, Jane Brooks

Dispatcher - Alter-ego

Princess - Jane Brooks