1. 1. Structuralism and Post-Structuralism
2. 2. Structuralism Barthes narrative codes (basic):Action codes: a series of actions drawaudience into narrative.Enigma codes: structure the plotaround a series of questions.Symbolic codes: identifying a textsmajor themes. (Binary opposites, orpsycho-analytical themes)
3. 3. Structuralism Approach to genre patterns can be identifiedwithin genres (eg. Westerns are built around aseries of binary opposites.) Neale economic factors may influence thegenres that are most prolific in a particular timeperiod (eg. Gangsters in times of economictrouble). Auteur Theory the director is the author of afilm and that the film reflects his or her visualstyle, themes, values and ideologies. (eg. Gristargues that Scorsese explores masculinity andrepression)
4. 4. Post-Structuralism Challenges the Structuralist idea that a text hasone single, identifiable meaning. Down plays the role of the author and insteademphasises a range of meanings andinterpretations that different audiences cancreate. Emphasise the arbitrary relationship betweensignifiers and signified. Belief in floating signifiersthat can be interpreted differently. Links to post-modernism and idea ofDECONSTRUCTION.