The document discusses Roland Barthes' theory of enigma codes in narratives. It identifies five codes - proairetic (actions), hermeneutic (puzzles), connotative (character), cultural/referential (knowledge), and symbolic (themes). The hermeneutic code focuses on posing and solving enigmas to intrigue audiences. Techniques for using enigma codes include thematizing mysteries, positioning clues, formulating and promising answers, using fraud/truth, equivocation, blocking answers, and partial or full disclosure. The document also briefly discusses Tzvetan Todorov and Claude Levi-Strauss' narrative theories of equilibrium/disequilibrium and binary oppositions.

1. Barthes’ Enigma
Code
1. Proairetic code (the voice of empirics): The code of actions. Any
action initiated must be completed. The cumulative actions
constitute the plot events of the text.
2. Hermeneutic code (the voice of truth): The code of enigmas or
puzzles
3. Connotative code (the voice of the person): The accumulation of
connotations. Semes, sequential thoughts, traits and actions
constitute character.
4. Cultural or referential code (the voice of science or knowledge):
Though all codes are cultural we reserve this designation for the
storehouse of knowledge we use in interpreting everyday
experience
5. Symbolic code (voice of symbol) Binary oppositions or themes, The
inscription into the text of the antithesis central to the organization
of the cultural code.
Enigma codes set and solve
puzzles in the story
Enigma codes portray a
mystery to draw an
audience in, pose questions,
and as such, become
intrigued in the piece
Thematisation – What in the narrative is enigma?
Positioning – Additional confirmation of the
enigma
Formulation of the enigma
Promise of an answer of the enigma
Fraud – Mixture of fraud and truth
Equivocation
Blocking
Suspended answer
Partial answer
Disclosure of the truth
The way it
goes in the
movie

2. Horror Movies that use Barthes’
Enigma Codes

3. Todorov felt that all stories start
with a state of equilibrium, which
is then disrupted, setting in
motion a chain of events. The
resolution a different event.
Movies that used
Todorov’s theory
Equilibrium – State of well
being normality between
the protagonist
Disequilibrium – Well
being is disrupted by an
outside force
New Equilibrium – The
outer force is defeated
and a new state of well
being has been acquired

4. Levi Strauss suggested that all narratives had to
be driven forward by conflict that was cause by
a series of opposing forces, he called this theory
‘binary oppositions’
Examples of binary
oppositions:
Good Vs Evil
Boy Vs Girl
Young Vs Old
Black Vs White
Strong Vs Weak
Protagonist Vs Antagonist
Action Vs Inaction
Ignorance Vs Wisdom
Good Looking Vs Ugly
Light Vs Dark
Sanity Vs Insanity
Noise Vs Silence