Roland Barthes Flashcards
Semiotics (23 cards)
What are the 5 aspects of Barthes codes?
- Enigma
- Symbolic
- Cultural
- Action
- Semantic
Briefly explain what an Enigma Code is
An element of a media product that hooks the audience in by adding mystery
Briefly explain what a Symbolic Code is
An image that has come to represent something else
Briefly explain what a Semantic Code is
Parts of a media product that we as an audience understand has a hidden meaning
Briefly explain what a Cultural Code is
You have to be part of a certain culture to understand
Briefly explain what an Action Code is
Element of a media product that hints something is going to happen as a result
Give an example of an Enigma Code
In newspaper, they use eye-catching phrases like ‘find out more on page..’,
What’s the whole point of an Enigma Code
To hook the audience in
Give an example of a Symbolic Code
A cross on a building represents a church, the cross symbolling Christianity
Give an example of a Semantic Code
Horror films advertisement contains reds and blacks, we know hints at blood, danger, mystery, darkness
Give an example of an Action Code/ Proaretic
Someone pulling out a gun, hints that the gun is going to be used and there’ll be some action
Give an example of a Cultural Code
Being part of a certain country for example to understand, when there was news articles on Brexit
What’s Denotation?
The thing we see or hear
What’s Connotation?
What we interpret/ the deeper meaning associated with it
Give an example of Denotation and Connotation working together
A red rose = love/ romance
What is a Myth
Stories and legends that teach us how to behave and why the world is how it is
What does Barthes say about Myths and modern society?
We’re more likely to learn myths about how to behave etc through media products rather than stories and legends
Where do modern society learn norms and values?
Media products like advertisement
What does Barthes theory about myths link to?
Stereotypes and Hegemony
What’s Hegemony?
How the powerful maintain their power through not just force but getting people to accept their ideas as normal
Give an example of Hegemony - capitalism
Dominant values, beliefs & ideologies like Capitalism is repeated in TV, news, adverts etc that we just accept it as normal
Give an example of Hegemony - Action Movies
Men are presented as strong heroes where as women as love interests reinforces the idea that men are naturally dominant
Give an example of Hegemony - News Channels
Always representing certain groups in a negative light i.e immigrants can shape public opinion into believing these stereotypes are true
