Barthes Theory of Narrative

This is another narrative theory constructed by Roland Barthe. He stated that there are 5 codes which can be incorperated into any narrative. These 5 codes tie into Barthes Enimga code who theorised that narratives have some mystery to draw the audience in.

The Hermeneutic Code:
This is when there is some sort of mystery in the scene that is not fully explained, hence becoming a puzzle to the audience. This grabs the viewers attention because it keeps them guessing and so they would want to find out what happens to solve the problem. The answers are finally revealed near/at the end answering the audiences questions.

The Proairetic Code:
The proairetic code is when the scene builds up tension and suspense, normally in an action or event. It foreshadows the coming events and keeps the audience on edge. This ties in with the first code, linking together to develop the narrative.

The Semantic Code:
This code refers to the connotation in the narrative that gives an alternative/additional meaning over the basic denotative meaning of the word.

The Symbolic Code:
It is similar to The Semantic Code and is about what things connotate to and symbolise. However, it goes into more detail and deeper sets of meaning. This is used quite a lot in narrative to hint to the audience but to let them infer the answer rather than giving the answer.

The Cultural Code:
The Cultural code looks at the audiences wider cultural knowledge, ideology and morality. Typically this usually involves science or religion.

This ties in with short films as a lot of them incorperate some kind of mystery to keep the audience interested. For example, the short film 'A Thousand Words' uses the Hermeneutic Code to allow the audience to guess what is going to happen next.

Barthes also brought foward the idea that texts need to be unravelled and because of this, it can have several meanings. Texts can be opened or closed.

Open: Can be unravelled and have several meanings.
Closed: Only one obvious thread in the story.