Roland Barthes' narrative theory includes five codes: 1) Action code builds tension through hints of upcoming events. 2) Enigma code also builds tension through unexplained mysteries. 3) Semic code offers a secondary meaning. 4) Symbolic code shows deeper meanings. 5) Referential code relates the narrative to cultural contexts. The document applies these codes to the author's short film through a letter revealing illness and sad music setting the tone. Claude Levi-Strauss' theory examines binary oppositions like life/death and happiness/sadness that reflect a culture's myths and values, which are demonstrated in the film through a friendship and secrets about health.

1. Narrative Theories
In our lessons we have been learning about narrative theorists. I have been able
to relate the theories of Roland Barthes and Claude Levi-Strauss to my shirt film.

2. Roland Barthes - The Theory
Wrote about the five codes of narrative - these being the action code, enigma code, semic
code, symbolic code and the referential code.
• Action code - it refers to anything that indicates something is going to happen and
consequently gets the reader guessing what will happen. Works with enigma to build
tension
• Enigma code - hold back on details so as to create an increased effect when revelations are
made. refers to any element of the story that is not fully explained and therefore becomes
a mystery to the reader. Works with action to build tension
• Semic code - offers a second meaning to a part of the narrative, usually through the use of
a connotation Linked to symbolic code
• Symbolic code - shows a deeper, broader meaning to that of the semic meaning, these are
generally new ideas. Linked to semic code
• Referential code - this is any element of the narrative that relates to a science or something
that cannot be challenged. This can also be known as the cultural code.

3. Roland Barthes and my Short Film
The Action code:
When Rebecca receives the letter saying about her illness, there is a close up shot of her
opening the letter. This is an action code that can be seen in my short film.
The Enigma code:
The sad music playing from the start of the short film is the enigma code as it tells only part of
the story - that being something tragic and sad has occurred.
The Referential code:
The short film is aimed at young people, however it is easily readable and understandable by
others - male/female, young/old.

4. Levi-Strauss - The Theory
The theory talks about the unconscious use of binary opposites to reflect the values, myths
and beliefs of a culture.
• Expressed in the form of binary oppositions which can be seen in all aspects of life.
• For example - love/hate, happy/sad, rich/poor, light/dark

5. Levi-Strauss and my Short Film
There was the following examples which can be found in my short film:
• Life/death - the life in the friendship and the death of the friend.
• Happiness/sadness - the happiness that is reflected in the youth of the friendship and the
sadness at the point where the friend dies.
• Past/present - the past shows the friendship blossoming
• Truth/secrets - the friend isn't honest with her friend about her illness
• Black/white - the scenes in the past are in black and white and this shows the distinction
between the past and present