Roland Barthe's Theory

Roland Barthes was a French literary theorist, philosopher, critic and semiotician (study of cultural signs and symbols). Barthes described text as a tangled ball of threads that needs to be unravelled so that the audience/reader is exposed to the many meanings throughout the text, unravelling the narrative so that they encounter different angles of meaning. He suggested that there are one or more of the five codes that describe the meaning of a text, stating that texts may be 'open' meaning that they can be used in lots of different ways or 'closed' meaning that there is only one obvious thread.

Enigma code

Also known as the Hermeneutic code, the Enigma code refers to a mystery within the text. Clues are given throughout the narrative but no clear answers are provided. The enigmas within the narrative make the audience want to know more and enigmas frustrate the audience when left unsolved or unanswered.

Action code

Also known as the Proairetic code, the Action Code contains elements of action in the text and the proairetic elements add suspense to the narrative. This leaves the audience guessing at what may happen next.

Semantic code

The Semantic code refers to parts within the narrative that suggest or refer to additional meanings and interpretations. Elements of the semantic code are called Semes and have a connotative function in the narrative, meaning that it has additional meaning.

Symbolic code

The Symbolic code is about the symbolism found within the text. It uses opposites to show contrast and create greater meaning, creating tension, drama and character development.

Referential code

Finally, the Referential code refers to anything in the text which refers to an external part of knowledge such as scientific, historical and cultural knowledge.