Barhtes Five Codes

Roland Barthes was a French literary theorist, philosopher, linguist, critic, and semiotician.
He came up with the theory that they are five codes that are woven into any narrative.

The Hermeneutic (enigma) Code refers to any element of the story that is not fully explained resulting as mystery to the reader.

The Proairetic (Action code) builds tension and indicates that something else is going to happen, which gets the audience guessing what will happen next. Its also used to move the plot forward. This with enigma code work together to hold the viewers interest.

Semantic Code refers to the connotation within the story that gives additional meaning over basic donative meanings of the word.

The Symbolic code is similar to the semantic code but acts at a wider level, organizing semantic meanings into broader and deeper sets of meaning. This is typically done in the use of antithesis, where new meaning arises out of opposing and conflict ideas.

The Cultural Code (REF) this  refers to anything that relates to a common body of knowledge. The cultural codes point to knowledge about the way the world works and is shared by a community or culture.



Above is the opening to season 6 of 24

The enigma Code: Who is the man that is trying to get on the bus? Why is he trying to get on the bus? Who is behind the attacks? How are they going to prevent them from happening?

Action Code: Opening with the news report of the previous attacks indicates something else is about to happen.

Cultural Code: The bus driver doesn't let the man on the bus this could be because in the light of the numerous attacks in different cities and the fact the man is not white and has a foreign accent the driver has taken prejudice and has taken caution, by not letting him on the bus.

Semantic Code: The opening scene is lit with low key lighting, the darkness of the scene reflects the mood and foreshadows what is about to happen. It is clear which characters have more authority in the scene between the politicians due to how they are dressed. The pase of editing increasing once the bomb has gone off as it shows how everyone is reacting to explosion and conveys the chaos that is happening in the clip to the audience.

Symbolic Code: They're is focus on the man who tries to stop the bus and his backpack this is because backpacks have became heavily associated with terrorism. This focus then makes the audience believe  that he is involved with the attacks.