2. 5 key codes
Barthes suggested that there are 5 key codes to
describe the meaning of a text…
He also said that texts may be open or closed, open
being many strand in one story e.g. eastenders as it
has many characters and no foreseeable ending,
and closed being only one strand e.g. About Time
3. The Enigma
(hermeneutic) code
This codes set up and usually solves puzzles. The main
one usually occurs at the start e.g. why did this plane
crash?
Clues are dropped but no clear answers are given e.g. Kill
List
Two kinds of pleasures involved, the audience never
know what is going to happen or happened, also allows
for your own creation of endings (imagination).
4. Proairetic ( action code)
This code contains sequential elements of action in
the text adding suspense
This makes complex actions readable through small
details so we don’t have to have everything spelled
out e.g. seeing someone on a stretcher would signal
the journey to a hospital bed which would then be no
surprise if it appears on screen
5. Semantic code
This code links to sections within a text that suggest
an additional meaning e.g. connotations and
denotations – red love passion blood.
6. Symbolic code
Symbolism with in a text
It creates opposites to show contrasts to create
greater meaning which would then lead on to create
tension, drama and character development e.g. a
child being shut in a cupboard could symbolise larger
scale child abuse.
7. Cultural/referential code
Anything that anchors the text in scientific, historical
and cultural context e.g. 28 days later challenges our
cultural understanding of the zombie, because the
director makes the zombies fast, strong and agile
monsters. This surprises the audience as it goes
against the stereo type of a zombie.
