Roland Barthes - Narrative Codes

Barthes describes narrative as a series of codes that are read and interpreted by the audience:

1. Action Code
2. Enigma Code
3. Semic/ Semantic Code
4. Symbolic Code
5. Referential Code

The five codes

1. Action Code: (proairetic code)something the audience knows and doesn't need explaining e.g. someone being wheeled out on a stretcher tells us they are going to hospital
2. Enigma Code: (hermeneutic code)something hidden from the audience (creates intrigue)
3. Semic Code:something that the audience recognize through connotations
4. Symbolic Code:Something that symbolizes a more abstract concept e.g. a darker than usual room of a murder scene could symbolize the depth of darkness and depravity
5. Cultural Code: (referential code)Something that is read with understanding due to cultural awareness (e.g. youth culture use certain words that are understood by that culture)