Barthes codes

 

 

Barthes codes

The hermeneutic code is the parts of the story that aren't fully explained, so it leaves unanswered questions. A detective story operates on the hermeneutic code. Also the unanswered questions aren't generally answered until the end. Sometimes there will be a snare, which is information which will send the audience down the wrong path. There also could be partial answers which gives the audience some, but not all of the truth. You could also get an equivocation. This mixes the truth and a snare. lastly, jamming suggests that the problem is unsolvable.

Some examples,
I am Legend- Where you don't know what happened to New York, so it raises questions.

Memento- It's not in order so you question what is going on.

Sherlock Holmes- You spend most of the film thinking Lord Blackwood has powers, so a snare was used.

The proairetic code is when, after an action, you expect a reaction. the aim of this is to create suspense as the audience would be anticipating the outcome.

Some examples,

Minority report- When the bubble goes up to the surface of the water, we expect a reaction from the robots.

Harry Potter: Half blood prince- When Harry goes to get water out of a cursed lake it builds tension as the audience expect a reaction.