1. Barthes Code
“Our understanding drives the narrative”
Barthes argues that every narrative is interwoven with multiple codes. He
believes that there are five main codes in narrative.

2. The Hermeneutic Code (ENIGMA
CODE)
The Hermeneutic code refers to any element of the story that is not fully explained
and which then becomes a mystery to the reader, for example the full truth may be
avoided.
It is something that the audience does not know.
An example of this used in a movie can be:
• Snares: Deliberately avoiding the truth.

3. The Proairetic Code (ACTION CODE)
The proairetic code builds the tension in the narrative, it refers to any other action or
event that suggests something else is going to happen, therefore it gets the audience
guessing what will happen next in the story.
The hermeneutic code and the proairetic code work as a pair to develop the stories
tension and make the story more exciting and keep them interested.
The code is something the audience knows and doesn’t need explaining. (E.g. Packing a
suitcase in a hurry connotes running away)

4. The Semantic Code (SEMANTIC or
LINGUISTIC CODE)
This code refers to connotation within the story that gives additional meaning over the
basic meaning of the word. It is the extended meaning that can be applied to words that
authors can paint rich pictures with limited text and the way they do this is a common
indication of their writing skills. An example of semantic code could be using hints (E.g.
Mansion, Sports car, Butler, Posh classical music) to connote certain concepts such as
wealth.

5. The Symbolic Code (SYMBOLISM)
This code is similar to the semantic code but acts at a wider level, organising semantic
meanings into broader and deeper sets of meanings. This is typically done in the use of
antithesis, where new meanings arises out of opposing and conflict ideas. It is a
structure which organizes meaning such as through the use of binary opposites.

6. The Cultural Code (CULTURAL or
REFERENTAL CODE)
This code refers to anything that is founded on some kind of canonical works that
cannot be challenged and is assumed to be foundation for truth. Typically this involves
either science or religion, although other canons such as magical truth may be used in
fantasy stories. This code looks at the audiences wider cultural knowledge, morality
and ideology.