Narrative is the way in which a story is told in both fictional and non-fictional media texts.
Narrative is important as it acts as an organizing principle that helps us make sense of the world.
Narrative, or story telling, helps us to interpret  the world and shape it into a comprehensible and comfortable form that allows us to see the forces of light and dark (good and evil), battling against one another.
The role of narrative helps to shape our social values as usually we are rewarded with the comforting outcome of the triumph of good and the reassurance of an equilibrium in which we all will live 'happily ever after' from a young age narrative is shown throughout numerous children's books and fairy tales help to show children the difference between good and bad. And so therefore, narrative can be associated with reward or punishment i.e bad behaviour at school or at home may be punished and good behaviour, on the other hand is rewarded. 

 

 

Bulgarian theorist Todrov reduced the concept of narrative to a simple recurring formula:

equilibrium - disequilibrium - new equilibrium

 

A narrative starts with a state of 'equilibrium' or harmony, for example a peaceful family getting on with and enjoying life. A firm sense of social order is established. Then this stability is disrupted by a force of disequilibrium, an evil outsider with intent on destroying the sense of well-being. Then the force of evil is overcome by a 'hero' and social order and harmony is restored this is the new equilibrium 

 

- you will see many Hollywood movie genres, fitting into this structure.