Roland and Barthes Codes

Roland Barthes Theory Roland Barthes was a French literary theorist, philosopher, critic and semeotician. He explored a wide range of fields and had diverse knowledge. Barthes also influenced the development of schools. Roland Barthes once said that ‘Text’ was “A galaxy of signifiers, not a structure of signified. It has no beginning, it is reversible, we gain entrance to it by several entrances, none of which can be authoritatively declared to be the main one.” I think by this he meant that everyone encounters everything differently, and there is no said way of approaching anything potentially ‘correct’. And by looking at something in a specific viewpoint or angle, can create a whole meaning for a particular ‘text’. Barthes came up with the idea that there is a theory that ‘5 codes’ can be put into any narrative. The 5 codes were; Action/ Proairetic- The way the tension is built up and the audience are left in interest or suspense guessing what happens next. This code applies to any action that implies a further narrative action. For example if two people pull their trigger at the same time, the audience is left in suspense and interest questioning who is going to get killed. Semantic- This code refers to giving a cultural/ underlining, additional meaning to a basic everyday word. This is to show what is symbolises but also shows the writers skills. Cultural/ Referential- Looks at the audience’s cultural knowledge and morality. The cultural codes also points to knowledge about the way the world works as shared by a community or culture. Enigma- Also known as the ‘Hermeneutic code’, refers to plot elements of a story that are not explained. They exist as enigmas that the reader wishes to be revealed. The effect is that it makes the audience question ‘why is that there?’ ‘why does this happen?’. A detective story is a prime example because the storyline operates by a crime being exposed and solved. Symbolic- The symbolic code refers to a structure that organizes meanings by way of antitheses or sexual and psychological conflicts; this is when new meaning arises out of opposing ideas. It’s also what the audience thinks when they see/ hear it. What it symbolises in their eyes. These oppositions can be expressed through action, character and setting.