Narrative Codes

There are two narrative codes, the Hermeneutic Code and the Proairetic Code, these code terms were discovered by Roland Barthes. The Hermeneutic Code is the method of creating suspense by not fully explaining the situation or deliberately avoiding telling the truth which raises questions, it consists of five separate parts: enigma codes (unanswered questions), the snare (something that gives you the wrong idea), partial answers (some truth revealed), equivocation (truth and false evidence) and jamming (suggesting that the problem cannot be solved).

The other narrative code is the Proairetic Code, that introduces actions that suggest something will happen, leaving the viewer to guess at what is next to come. Both codes are put in place to keep the audience interested in finding out the answers to the questions they are asking themselves.

The Secret Window is a perfect example of how the Hermeneutic Code is used as it misleads the audience into believing that the main actor is the victim when in reality he is the perpetrator. This psychological thriller uses the snare so that the audience is completely thrown off of the path of what really is happening. Some truths are revealed but some are misinforming.

Another illustration is when Karkaroff, from Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, goes into the Dining Hall to, what it seems, put Harry’s name into the Goblet. This shot reveals partial answers as the viewers are permitted to know that he had been in the room but aren’t informed whether or not he was doing anything corrupt, in spite of this the audience is made to think he has by his suspicious facial expressions as well as his body language.

In Alien Autopsy, the Proairetic Code is used several times, such as when the film doesn’t work anymore it puts the life of one of the main characters at risk, therefore it makes the audience guess and question what will happen to the protagonist or how they will change the outcome of the events.