ARISTOTLE (c. -340)

Observes that unity of plot is essential to an attractive narrative.

Considers that only fiction can achieve unity of plot.

Historical narratives cannot.

RANK (1905)

Detects a universal structure in legend.

Demonstrates that it implies a universal structure of the mind.

Studies only legends. The structure he discovered is specific.

PROPP (1927)

Analyses 100 Russia tales.

Proposes a very complex analytical framework.

But observes only two real invariants : the loss/misdeed and its reparation.

BARTHES (1957)

Considers that the structure of narratives is universal.

Considers that it implies a universal structure of the mind. (Like Rank)

Considers that the structure of narratives is proper to fiction (Like Aristotle)