Literature Review 3

Roland Barthes was a French literary theorist, philosopher and semiotician. All narratives share structural features that each narrative weaves together in different ways, said Roland Barthes. Barthes suggested to take the plurality of codes as an invitation to read a text so it can brings out multiple meanings and connotations. Rather than reading a text from a linear plot or even constrained by genre, Barthes argues for his terms of "writerly" rather than "readerly" approach to text.

A particular strength of Barthes' interpretation is that the text of the narrative bring multiple meaning to the audience. Every person has their own perception and interpretation. The same story could be interpreted differently by different people as their thoughts varies as the environment and culture differs. However, the essential properties will remain as how it was made initially while the stories are transported from one medium to another (Bremond, 1973).

According to Barthes, every narrative is interwoven with multiple codes. The Five Codes are as follows:

The hermeneutic code (HER). This refers to any element in the story that is not explained and therefore this raises questions that demands explication towards the reader. 

The proairetic code (ACT). This is about the other major structuring principle that builds interest or suspense on the part of a reader or viewer.

The semantic code (SEM). It points to any element in a text that suggests a particular, or additional meaning by the way of connotation.

The symbolic code (SYM). This is hard to differentiate from semantic code, it is a 'deep' structural principle that organizes semantic meaning.

The cultural code (REF). It is about the element in a narrative that refers "to a science or a body of knowledge".

As a whole, these codes are seen and works like a "weaving of voice". This is to allow user to read a work with a new perspective but not just a single line.

From my understanding, Barthes' is showing the complexity of the narrative structure and looking into different point of view of the narrative. This could be implemented in my studies of hypercomic as it will allow me to point out and look in deeper into the hypercomic for its purpose and value. I can also analyse how is the narrative structured affecting to the audience and how are the audience reacting to it.

References

Anon, (2014). [online] Available at: http://vogmae.net.au/intmedia/pubs/BarthesExtract.pdf [Accessed 21 Nov. 2014].

Ap.krakow.pl, (2014). Barthes and Narratology. [online] Available at: http://www.ap.krakow.pl/nkja/literature/theory/barthes_and_narratology.htm [Accessed 27 Nov. 2014].

Barthes, R., Lavers, A. and Smith, C. (1968). Elements of semiology. New York: Hill and Wang.

Bremond, C. (1973) Logique du récit, Paris: Seuil.

Courses.nus.edu.sg, (2014). Five Codes of Roland Barthes. [online] Available at: http://courses.nus.edu.sg/course/elljwp/5codes.htm [Accessed 23 Nov. 2014].