Todorov Homework

Before 9/11, like Todorov's theory suggests, there was a state of equilibrium within society. However, post 9/11 society is the disequilibrum that has been disrupted by these events. Since the impact of this event, the world was woken up to the dangers of terrorism which made the become more of a real threat. At this time the world has become one filled with hysteria and paranoia surrounding muslims. Now people have an association of this race with terrorism, without considering the small minority of muslims that are actually violent.

Efforts have been made to attempt to repair the damage done through means such as rebuilding and memorial. Unlike Todorov's narrative theory however, the world can never truly return to the original equilibrium. Even today as terrorism continues around the world, more and more people reflect on events such as 9/11, causing the Muslims who are not violent to be put in the crossfire as a result. The world trade centre has since been rebuilt and strategies to dealing with terrorists have been massively improved. This shows the realisation of a disruption in Todorov's theory and the attempts to return it to its original state.

As society begins to form a new equilibrium, we are struck with new disasters that further shake the foundations of the world. Examples of these events such as the recent Paris shootings show us how instantly the world can be thrown into disequilibrium again. At this time of mass hysteria and paranoia, the media target their headlines in order to press on these fears, in order to sell more papers or receive more views. Examples can be seen on Twitter or in newspapers such as the sun who recently published a front page article entitled '1 in 5 Muslims' sympathy for jihadis'. In traditional Sun fashion, they have attempted to seek their issues by posting this controversial headline. This again has put more Muslims in the line of fire with all of the worlds paranoia. The use of the terrorist on the front cover with the article shows the intention of the article even further. The aim is to prey on people who are feeling the effects of hysteria and make them pick up a copy of the Sun as a result.