Roland Barthes
Roland Barthes created his narrative theory once he began to notice how times were changing and began to think about language, culture and existence and the way they progress. In his theory, he came up with codes which were his set of rules and he used this theory to link together with the production of different stories. He concluded that all stories use the same five codes and that signifiers of genre can be used to create a narrative. His codes were:
1. Action Code- depicts the events which take place in the narrative- the who, where, when of the story. Action codes are sequential.
2. Semantic Code- refers to character and characterisation. The actions in the story are explained by the character's viewpoint on events.
3. Enigma Code- involves the setting up of mystery, its development and its resolution
4. Referential Code- involves explaining or informing. Mise-en-scene is a referential code.
5. Symbolic Code- involves the reading of the connotations of signs which transforms them into symbolic representations e.g. a character can symbolise bravery.
Five Codes with Phone Booth
Action Code:
- We immediately get a sense of place from the beginning as there are lots of establishing shots of New York and there are lots of moving shots to take the audience through the busy city.
- There is also a lot of background noise and this adds to where the film is set and the surroundings.
- As all these things are happening at once and there is a lot going on, we get the feeling that this is all happening in present time.
- After this, we are then introduced to the main character and we get an initial impression of what he is like through this.
Semantic Code:
- We see the main character first, who is dressed smartly and is on the phone, with a employee or friend following him and we get the impression that he is an important businessman.
- His personality is shown from this phone call and the way he walks shows how he has confident, arrogant and has authority with the job that he does.
- He is wearing sunglasses however, and this shows that there is more to be revealed about this character.
- With the character being on the phone, there is a link to the films title and we can tell that the idea of phones will play an important part in the film.
Enigma Code:
- The mystery is involved when we see a variety of different characters within the street of New York on their mobiles and we begin to wonder what the role of a phone will have to do with this film and what is going to happen next.
- As the first time we see the main character, he is wearing sunglasses, an air of mystery is created as we cannot see his eyes and can tell that there is more to this character and that something big will happen involving this man.
Referential Code:
- The film starts in the busy city during the day and it seems chaotic and crowded. This gives a slight feeling of entrapment and claustrophobia and this relates to the title of Phone Booth in being stuck in one place.
-The lighting is also very bright as it is filmed in daylight and this reflects the personality of the character being important, centred and the focus point of the story.
Symbolic Code:
- The character symbolises arrogance however, this makes me think that something will happen to teach him a lesson and to make him think about his actions.
- Also, the mobile phone symbolises distractions and as the main character shows his arrogance through the phone call, it seems as if the phone will have something to do with this punishment he will receive.
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