The document summarizes Roland Barthes' theory of narrative codes. It describes five codes that are woven into any narrative: 1) the action code, which builds tension by indicating what may happen next; 2) the cultural code, which incorporates cultural signifiers; 3) the semic code, which relies on connotation to provide additional meaning; 4) the enigma code, which creates mysteries to engage the audience; and 5) the code of oppositions, which uses binary concepts like weak vs. strong to create contrast and tension. Barthes viewed a text as a "galaxy of signifiers" that could be accessed and interpreted through multiple entry points using these narrative codes.
2. Roland Barthes 1915-1980
Roland Barthes describes a text as: “a galaxy of signifiers, not a structure of signified; it has
no beginning; it is reversible; we gain access to it by several entrances, none of which can
be authoritatively declared to be the main one; the codes it mobilizes extend as far as the
eye can read, they are indeterminable...the systems of meaning can take over this
absolutely plural text, but their number is never closed, based as it is on the infinity of
language...”
Roland Barthes narrowed down the action of a text in to five codes which are woven in to
any narrative.
Action code
Cultural code
Engima code
Semic code
Code of oppositions
3. The Action Code
The Action Code also builds tension,
referring to any other action or event that
indicates something else is going to
happen, and indicate to the audience what
the next logical step is and which hence
gets the reader guessing as to what will
happen next.
4. The Cultural Code
Cultural codes are codes that are used by, and understood
by, members of a particular culture e.g. Scottish people,
Punk Rockers, Christians, the Police, criminals. Cultural
codes can be found in what people wear, how they speak,
their mannerisms, vehicles, buildings, colours, background
sounds, music, flags, symbols and many other things.
The cultural code is used in order for the narrative to make
a sense to a culturally or socially aware audience.
5. The Semic Code
This code refers to connotation within the story that
gives additional meaning. It is by the use of extended
meaning that can be applied to words that the directors
can paint rich pictures with relatively limited text and the
way they do this is a common indication of their writing
skills.
Signs and meanings in the text tell the audience about
the narrative and characters. These then layer a further
meaning over the literal one.
6. The Enigma Code
The Enigma Code refers to any element of the story that is not fully
explained and hence becomes a mystery to the reader. The purpose of
the author in this is typically to keep the audience guessing, arresting
the enigma, until the final scenes when all is revealed and all loose
ends are tied off and closure is achieved.
This is achieved through controlling how much and what information is
given to the audience. The mysteries within the narrative frustrate the
audience and make them want to know more.
We achieved this in our thriller opening as the viewer watching will want
to know who the hooded figure is and who is the hand on the tree. This will
frustrate the audience as they want to know who it is, but they wouldn't
know who until right at the end of the film.
7. Code of Oppositions
This code relies on binary opposites (Strauss) to show contrast, create tension
and narrative/character development.
Binary oppositions are a pair of related terms or concepts that are opposite in
meaning for example :
Weak VS strong
Women VS Men
Black VS White
