Barthes 5 narrative codes

• Barthes suggested that there will be one or more of the 5 codes that descibe the meaning of a text.

• Barthes said that texts may be ‘open’ (unravelled in a lot of different ways) or ‘closed’ (there is only one obvious thread to pull on).

The 5 codes

• Hermeneutic / Enigma code

• Proairetic/Action code

• Semantic code• Symbolic code• Referential code

Hermeneutic/Enigma code

• This code refers to mystery within a text. Clues are dropped, but no clear answers are given.

• Enigmas within the narrative make the audience want to know more.

• Unanswered enigmas tend to frustrate the audience.

Proairetic/Action code

• This code contains sequential elements of action in the text.

• Proairetic elements add suspense to the text.

Semantic code• This code refers to parts within the text

that suggests or referes to additional meanings.

• Elements of the semantic code are called Semes.

• The seme has a connotative function in the text. It has an extra layer of meaning in addition to its literal meaning

Symbolic code

• This code is about symbolism within the text. • It exercises opposites to show contrast and

create greater meaning, creating tension, drama and character development.

Referential code

• This code refers to anything in the text which refers to an external body of knowlegde such as scientific, historical and cultural knowledge.