Barthes

Roland Barthes was born on the 12th November 1915 and died at the age of 64 on the 25th March 1980. He was a French literacy theorist, philosopher, critic and semiotician (study of cultural signs and symbols). He explored a diverse range of fields and he influenced the development of schools.

Barthes suggested that there will be one or more of the 5 codes that describe the meaning of the 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.

Semantics code

• This code refers to parts within the text that suggests or refers 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 knowledge such as scientific, historical and cultural knowledge.