5 Action Codes of Roland Barthes (French Theory) in Ever After Movie

5 Action Codes of Roland Barthes (French Theory) in Ever After Movie

1.      Hermeneutic Code (The Voice of The Truth – The Enigma)

Is the way the story avoids telling the truth or revealing all of facts, in order to drop clues throughout that will add to the mystery. It is entitles or elements that articulate a question and its answer, as well as events that prepare the question or delay the answer.

-          The death of Danielle’s death is never explained clearly to the audience until the movie ends. The reason may be to construct the tension of the audience or it does not important to be explained which does not give any more influence toward the story. So, it is so confusing when Danielle’s father holding his hand then holding his stomach or probably his chest. What is the connection of hand and stomach or chest actually. It is not clear and extremely contrast even if it is probably heart attack.

-          Danielle’s father says “I love you” to Danielle only. The audience may be curious why it happens. Doesn’t Danielle’s father love his Baroness? Does he marry her perforce? It is not explained.

-          The reason why Prince Henry must do the marriage treaty is still kept from the audience. Although it may be because political interest but the real reason is still a secret.

-          Jacqueline’s treat to Danielle is quiet different with her mother and sister. Why? The reason is not constructed also to the audience.

2.      Proairotic Code (Empirical Voice)

Is the way the tension is built up and the audience is left guessing what will happen next.

It is like a puzzle that drives the audiences to arrange it if they want to know the next story. It often creates the tension of the audience. This code is different with hermeneutic because the audience’s question is answered by the next action in the movie.

-          Leonardo da Vinci says that painting is his life. It is an exaggeration. Audience will guest what happens next. And the answer is Prince Henry helps Leonardo to retake the painting.

-          When Henry begins to be attracted with the beauty of Maguerite, it may increase the audience’s tension to feel either dissatisfied or angry. Then, the answer is clear in the next action that it is not a love like Henry and Danielle have.

3.      Semic Code (The Voice of The Person - Intertextuality)

Points to any element in the text that suggests a particular, often additional, meaning by way of connotation which the story suggest. It is the connotations of the characters (a person, a place or an object).

•      The use of idiom : “two peas in a pod”

It means very similar, especially in appearance.

•      The use of parable : “a sapling cannot grow in the shadow of a mighty oak, Francis. He needs sunlight.”

•      “Forgive me, Your Highness. I did not see you. Your aim would suggest otherwise. And for that I know I must die.” This sentence is always used to pay homage or to respect the Royals.

4.      The Symbolic Code (The Voice of Symbols)

Is similar to the Semic Code, however, it acts on wider level-organizing Semic meaning into broader and deeper sets of meaning.

•      Danielle de Barbarac

            - Humble

            - Poor

            - Servant

•      Prince Henry

            - Arrogant

            - Rich

            - Prince

5.      The Cultural Code (The Voice of Social Knowledge)

Looks at the audience wider cultural knowledge, morality and ideology. This gives more context and meaning to the text. It references how we think of the world, and how we think it works.

•      Waving hand in the gate

•      Rodmilla : Marguerite, precious... ...what do I always say about tone?

Nobility had to have good manners at that time.