Roland Barthes

Roland Barthes described all texts as complex 'bundles' of meaning which can be unraveled to create a whole range of different meanings. According to Barthes texts can be OPEN with 'numerous threads to pull' and CLOSED with only one obvious thread to the grasp, texts can be read in a number of ways which are known as POLYSEMIC texts. These 'threads' that Barthes referred to are known as narrative codes, the most significant of these codes is the enigma code, this is constructed to attract and hold the attention of the audience normally by creating a mystery or puzzle that the audience want to see solved. The enigma code is usually introduced in the disruption phase of Todorov's model. Enigma codes are designed to attract audiences and hold their attention e,g, consider how they are used in reality tv such as X-Factor.