Roland Bartes

Codes Theory

"A galaxy of signifiers, not a structure of signifields it has no beginning; it is reversible; we gain access to it by several entrances, none of which can be authoritatively declared to be the main one; the codes it mobilises extend as far as the eye can reach, they are indeterminable . . . ; the systems of meaning can take over this absolutely plural text, but their number is never closed, based as it is on the infinity of language." - Barthes 

Barthes suggested that you can look at a narrative from several different perspectives to create entirely different meanings. Barthes believes that texts are either 'open' which means that the narrative can be interpreted in many different ways or 'closed' meaning that there is only one clear interpretation.  

these are the five following codes that feature in narratives: 

1. The hermeneutic code - the story swerves from the truth in order to create mystery, although clues are given no clear answer is given.  
2. The enigma code - build up of tension leaving audience intrigued wanting to know more, whereas unanswered enigmas leave the audience confused and frustrated.  
3. The symbolic code - organises semantic code into wider layers of meaning, it is symbolism's within the narrative that create tension, additional layers of meaning and define characters. 
4. The cultural code - looks at the audiences culture, e.g historical culture. 
5. The semantic code - suggests additional meaning through connotation which is different to the literal meaning.