Roland Barthes – Media Theorist
Bathes is a theorist who tried to explain ​the
structure of stories​ and also how ​meaning is
communicated​ in media texts.
He suggested that narratives are simply a
series of codes​ that work to either:
●
Connote meaning in a text.
●
Move the story forward.
●
Create narrative mystery.
Barthes suggested meaning is made in fiction
texts by the use of these five codes, which
are called​ Narrative codes:
1
The enigma code
a.k.a. the
hermeneutic
code
Narratives set up ​puzzles ​to be
solved; these enigmas delay the
end of the narrative & maintain
audience’s interest and
anticipation. The answers to the
puzzles are satisfyingly resolved
later in the text
For example, the origin of Harry
Potter’s lightning scar is not made
clear until later.
2
The events and
actions code
a.k.a. the
proairetic code
Relates to progression in the
narrative​ ​and involves codes of
behaviour or actions that lead us
to expect consequences​.
For example a murder is
committed, which cause the
detective to investigate.
3
The ​symbolic
code
The process of representing an
object, idea or feeling by something
else (​a visual metaphor​).
For example, a fence between
two characters may symbolise
their emotional distance /
conflict.
The ​semic code
Refers to the use of ​connotation​ to
give the audience an insight into
characters, objects or settings that
we learn to read
For example the colour red is
often used to suggest danger or
passion; therefore a red dress
worn by a female character is
likely to suggest her sexuality
and/or danger.
The ​cultural code
Concerns the culturally specific
knowledge from outside the text
which is used to make meaning in a
text.
For example Big Ben at the
beginning of the news references
the heart of political power in the
UK.
4
5
In your thrillers the following 3 codes need attention:
Enigma
Codes
Action Code
You must not reveal too much of your narrative.
Rather you are establishing the tone / feel of your film and establishing a
mystery, which will be resolved later in the film.
What is the one event or action that drives the narrative forward? What starts
the chain of events or causes the characters to act in order to restore the world?
Roland Barthes – Media Theorist
Semic Codes
What connotations do you want to imply about the place / characters and how
will you encode that meaning?
Task: Watch 3 student thrillers from the playlist in the blog and identify the following codes,
make notes in the table below:
Thriller 1
Enigma Code
Title: The Call
The setting is a crime scene, however, we don’t know who has
injured/murdered the victim and we don’t know why she was the
target of the crime. The victim has been revealed and therefore, she
is the protagonist, however, we are still unaware of who the
antagonist is as their identity is yet to be revealed. We ask ourselves
- Who is the murdered? Why is this woman the victim of this crime?
Who is the next target? Is the necklace a vital clue in solving the
crime?
Action Code
A necklace is found which could act as a crucial piece of evidence
within the investigation. This is our first insight into the crime as this
is the first clue left behind. As it it a piece of jewellry, we could be
encouraged to assume certain characteristics/qualities about the
antagonist like their gender etc. The investigator/detector then
receives a phone call which acts as a clear action code, encouraging
the plot to progress immensely. The voice on the phone taunts the
detector, stating that he is acting in a tense way, forcing us to doubt
the intentions and morality of his character. We are heavily
influenced into believing that corruption has occurred.
Semi Code (Connotations) – Characters / Location
The thriller is set in what appears to be an underground parking
place, immediately creating a sense of darkness as their location is
hidden and concealed, emphasising the secrecy within the narrative.
The sequence seems very isolated from the beginning. Due to the
victim being tied up in a chair within this underground setting, we
assume that the crime took place here as the victim appears to be in
the same detrimental state that she would have been in just after
the crime had been committed. Also, there is blood on what seems
to be the murder weapon. This short and quick shot is overwhelmed
by the red colour of the blood, implying that there is more danger
and crime to follow. We are left feeling unsettled as a result.
Thriller 2
Enigma Code
Title: Megan
The bloody hands implies that there has been a murder but the
viewer is left questioning who is the murderer and who is the victim.
We also don’t know the reason the person was killed or why Megan
is so distressed in the black and white shots about the situation. Who
is following Megan? Who has been murdered? What is the story
behind the murder?
Action Code
The distressed behaviour of Megan enhances the enigma codes and
leaves the viewer contemplating whether she is the murderer or
about to be the victim because someone is after her. This sense of
Roland Barthes – Media Theorist
her being watched and followed is shown in the washing line clip.
The flicking layered shots of the family portraits and the bloody
hands could reveal that someone or even Megan has murdered a
family member.
Semi Code (Connotations) – Characters / Location
The location of a house could give connotations that the murder
victim is a family member or it could have happened in the home, eg
the bloody handprints on the windows and mirror. The flicking shots
of her bloody hands and her hands washing up imply she is the
murderer and she is trying to forget, which could reveal this is why
she is distressed. The home setting also enhances the man is
following or watching her and has tracked her down to her home.
Thriller 3
Enigma Code
Title: Last Autumn
The girl within the narrative is found sitting in a park on her own. She
is waiting for her boyfriend so in an attempt to discover his
whereabouts, she texts him. He replies saying ‘Not long now..’ which
immediately leaves us asking questions. We ask - Why is he being so
vague in his response? Where is he? Why is he running late? Are his
intentions pure? Is he planning his revenge plot?
Action Code
We are greeted with a shot of the boy stretching his tie, implying
that this is his murder weapon. We realise that he has a cunning plan
to murder his girlfriend and we fear for her safety. The girl begins
walking away from the park in search for her boyfriend, however,
she looks anxious and the level of suspension and apprehension is
heightened. The boy suddenly comes into sight and grabs the girl,
wrapping the tie around her neck and dragging her body into a
greenhouse. From this, we expect her inevitable death.
Semi Code (Connotations) – Characters / Location
The use of the tie as a prop being yanked at agressively has
connotations of danger and death. The use of an isolated park as the
setting could be used to emphasise their unhealthy relationship and
the sadness and anxiety of the protagonist. Her character is
completely alone in this deserted park, however, she feels incredibly
overwhelmed and almost unable to breath, foreshadowing the death
to come when she is suffocated.
Extension: In any of the three thrillers can you identify cultural or symbolic codes?
Thriller Title:
Megan
Symbolic Codes
●
●
●
The bloody hands represent murder
The repetition of flickering lights is consistent throughout and could be
symbolic of her anxiety and tension.
The pulling action of the tie suggests that there is a struggle and a fight
for survival to come.
Roland Barthes – Media Theorist
Cultural Codes
●
Candles can sometimes be symbolic of religion.