Barthes' 'Narrative Codes'

Barthes' Narrative Codes are five codes that are used within media to engage the audience. These include:

• Action Code - This is used in a media text to indicate what the next part will be. It advances the narrative e.g. the starting of a car engine would suggest that the car will drive away.
• Enigma (mystery) Code - This is how much information is given to the audience. It sets up a problem for the audience to solve, grabbing their attention and keeping them interested e.g. a hand opening a door but the audience not knowing whose hand it is.
• The Semic code - This is the symbols, signs and meanings within media that tells the audience about its narrative and characters e.g. films including vampires would include the garlic and the fear of it.
• Cultural Code - It is used in order for the narrative to makes sense to a socially and culturally aware audience. It references to elements in the real world that the audience will recognise e.g. Aston Martins from the James Bond films.
• Code of Oppositions - This is the use of binary opposites within media e.g. black v white.

The narrative of our preliminary task was a basic kidnap story. A young girl was attacked and tied up in a cupboard and the antagonist leaves her in the dark. Later, the protagonist saves the girl and frees her. The antagonist watches the victim and the protagonist leave. Within this, we used some of Barthes' Narrative Codes without realising.

Action Code - This was used many times within our piece. On example of this is when the protagonist enters the store room. The going through the door indicates that the protagonist will find the victim.

Enigma Code - This was used when the antagonist kidnaps the victim. The audience don't know why she has been kidnapped. This grabs their attention and will make them continue to watch to find out the answer.

Cultural Code - This was used throughout the piece. English was spoken and it was filmed inside a school suggesting to the audience that it is taking place in a well educated, western country.

Code of Oppositions - This was used within the clothing of the protagonist and antagonist. The protagonist wore light clothing and the antagonist wore darker clothing.

However,  we didn't include any of the Semic Code. This couldn't really be applied to the preliminary task as it wouldn't be appropriate. But, this could be used within our final thriller piece to inform the audience more about the characters and indicate the meaning within it.