Roland Barthes

Roland Barthes Narrative Theory
In one of our first theory lessons, we learnt about a narrative theory from Roland Barthes consisting of 5 codes.
Action Code: this applies to any action that implies a further narrative action. for example a gunslinger draws his gun on and adversary and we assume that the result will be shooting.
Enigma Code: this refers to any element in a sotry that is not explained, therefore esixts as an enigma for the audience. This raises questions that demand explanation.
The Semantic Code: This is any element in a text that suggests a particular, often additional meanings by way of connotation.
The Cultural Code: This is any element ina narrative that refers to a science or body of knowledge. In other words, the cultural code tends to point to our shared knowledge about the way the world works.
The symbolic Code: This is all to do with binary opposites. For example, one person is considered fat because another person is thin.

Levi Strauss: Levi Strauss believed that the world consisted of a series of binary opposites. Essentially only one thing can be defined in relation to something else. This links in with the symbolic code very well.

Also a narrative can be labeled in two ways; Open or Closed.
An open narrative can be unravelled in lots of different ways for example soap operas.
A closed narrative only has one obvious thread to pull on, for example a film.

I enjoyed learning about this first narrative theory as it gave me a better insight into films/commercials/tv programs etc and everything that has to be considered for them to be made.