Roland Barthes Enigma Theory

Barthes said that all narratives share some structural features that are brought together in different ways. He said there is more than one way to read text or television programme etc; he said this is because every time you see something you can see it in a slightly different way. Barthes enigma code is saying that film, television programmes and posters make the audience question something and intrigues them in to view it. For example, murder mysteries do not often show the killer so this makes the audience question who the killer is and creates questions in their mind. Its saying that the narrative establishes then you solve the mystery, disruption etc.

Examples of Roland Barthes enigma theory

For example in face off when Nicolas cage stands up and you can see a silhouette of him standing at the top of the hill, with a rifle laid out in front of him, this creates suspense and mystery and questions the viewers mind as to who this person is and who he is planning on shooting, also as his body is silhouetted you immediately know he is the villain, if he wasn’t and you could see his face you would be lead to believe that he is going to kill for the right reason, for example when soldiers and defending their territory.

Also in se7en, in the title sequence an enigma is created, as you see the hands of a killer and the lots of disturbing images, it creates enigma as you do not see his identity, as the audience want to know who he is and what he is doing and this makes the audiecne more involved.