Roland Barthes' Narrative Codes by Abeer Fatima

Hermeneutic Code

abeeriff — 2023-12-28 15:06:14 UTC

This is when information or details about the plot are intentionally omitted to create mystery and curiosity in the audience. In the beginning of the film the mystery behind the mother's disappearance is emphasised. This invokes curiosity and many questions within the audience, such as:

Where did Enola's mother go, and why?

Why did she leave without telling Enola?

Proairetic Code

abeeriff — 2023-12-28 15:06:36 UTC

These codes include the plot points/situations that are caused by previous events. In the scene above, Enola finds a note from her mother, which wrote 'Our future is up to us', and the scene turns into a flashback. She repeats those words, indicating that rather than just obeying her brother Mycroft, she may begin her own journey to do as she pleases. The non-diegetic music also gets louder and more dramatic as the camera zooms in. This shows that she is about to make an important decision that may alter the whole situation.

Semantic Code

abeeriff — 2023-12-28 15:06:52 UTC

These signs carry additional connotations, beyond the basic definition, to give the viewer more insight about the plot and characters. In the scene above Enola is asked who taught her to sharpen a knife, to which she replies with, " My mother". This conveys the personality of the mother as slightly peculiar and out of the ordinary, especially according to the setting. It also indicates that Enola was taught many survival techniques to survive in the world.

Symbolic Code

abeeriff — 2023-12-28 15:08:01 UTC

These are structural devices, and include the use of antithesis. Both semantic and symbolic codes are very similar. The rose hold symbolism in the scene above. Tewkesbury hands her a white rose tinged with red, which symbolises the love that is about to bloom between the two. Not only that but it also shows their innocence. Although they were both alone in London at the time, they were still young and unaware of the brutal world around them.

Cultural Code

abeeriff — 2023-12-28 15:08:18 UTC

These codes tend to point out the shared knowledge of the audience, about the way the world works. Cultural codes include historical, social, psychological or literary references. In this scene Enola had asked the shop keeper where she could find lodging for good value, and this is where she was taken. It seems obvious that Enola has been scammed by the lady, as the room is in not in great shape. Moreover, a rat had been crawling around too.