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Barthes' Narrative Codes

The semic code the connotations of signs within a narrative: a descriptive code.
The referential code the relationship of signs to the wider world outside: a code of realism.
The symbolic code the meanings of elements within the narrative: a representational code.

Diegesis

This is the world of the characters in the story. In a film there is information that is only available to the audience, for example captions, theme music or the celebrity persona of an actor. This is non-diegetic information. Non-diegetic information is part of the plot, but not part of the story.

Narrative, story and plot

Narrative
is a series of events. 'I am cold' is not a narrative, but 'I am cold because the evil Tesks of Orthorn have imprisoned me in an ice cavern' is a narrative. Film theorists Bordwell and Thompson describe a narrative as 'a chain of events in a cause-effect relationship occuring in time and space' (1990). This is useful as it places emphasis on 3 key components of narrative:

Causality or why things happen, ('... because the Tesks imprisoned me.')

Time or when things happen ('... I was imprisoned in an ice cavern then I got cold.')

Space or where things happen ('... the ice caverns of Orthorn.')

The Quest Narrative

The quest is a type of story in which the hero sets off on a mission to retrieve some object of value or solve a great mystery. The mission involves many great obstacles and difficulties which must be overcome to achieve an ultimate goal. Standing between the hero and this goal is the villain. The villan (and any villainous allies) must be vanquished before the hero can accomplish the objectives of the mission before triumphantly returning home to claim a well-earned reward.

The theory
The Russian narrative theorist, Vladimir Propp, identified a set of 'character types' typically found in the quest:

The Hero
The protagonist and main agent of change.

The Villain
Places obstacles in the path of the hero. Must be defeated in order that the hero can carry off the prize. Often assisted by henchmen who oppose the hero before the climactic confrontation.

Donor
Provides the hero with a 'gift'. This could be a magical power, a piece of valuable information or a talisman.

Helper
The hero's trusted sidekick(s). Often a dangerous role in quests as helpers are quite likely to find themselves sacrificed to the cause - helpfully providing or strengthening the hero's revenge motive.

Dispatcher
Sends the hero off. May also act as the hero's mentor.

Sought for person
Or 'Princess' - may be the object of the hero's mission and/or the reward for succeeding in the quest.

False hero
Often mistaken for the real hero by other characters (including the princess's father - who may be tempted to bestow the reward on the False Hero instead of the Real Hero).

Features of postmodernism

The main concept of postmodernism is that it breaks the rules. However, there are many other features that are illustrated in the posts below.

kitsch

parody

shock

joy or playfulness with colour, form or style

confusion over space and time

pastiche

ego

style over substance

form over content

hybridisation

Breakdown between high and low culture

Postmodernism prezi

http://prezi.com/s4q9_edgyhk7/edit/#1

List of blog activities you should have on your blog

Write brief account of a local narrative (myth or legend). What methods were used to keep these fictions alive?

Summarise a modern fiction (film, TV drama episode,soap episode etc.). How have the messages and values in our cultural fictions changed over time? What theoretical approaches would apply to a reading of your fiction?

Produce a written evaluation of the given sequence of Romeo and Juliet using key terminology.

Produce a written evaluation of ther given sequence from Avatar using key terminology where possible.

The Snow Child
Read the story (it is on the internet) and do the following:
Consider in detail the following representations in the story of:
- the Count
- the Countess
- the Girl
What is the impact of the setting for the story?
How does Carter challenge our expectations of the 'fairy story'?
Explore the symbolism of the rose in the story.

The Bloody Chamber and Binary Opposition
Binary oppositions in myths:
- Good vs Evil
- Masculinity vs Femininity
- Rural vs urban
- Aggressive vs Passive
- Wealth vs Poverty
- Past vs Present

Which of each pair does your culture favour?
Are there stories that go against the grain?
How do the Bloody Chamber stories deal with these oppostitions? With other oppositions?

Reading the Constructed Environment: Your College
Using the notes made from your exploratory trip around the college site, write a case study similar to the example given in class.

The Cultural Sites

Spaces and Places
Sample Exam Question
It has been argued that places and spaces ‘speak’ to us in ways which reinforce our cultural identity. Drawing on contrasting examples, critically evaluate this view of places and spaces.


Fictions
Sample Exam Question
“The fictions and stories of contemporary culture are the most powerful forces in shaping our identities as cultural beings.”
Discuss this view of fictions in contemporary culture.


Objects of Desire
Sample exam question
“The design and marketing of consumer products tells us all we need to know about power relations in contemporary society.”
Assess this statement using your knowledge of objects of desire.