Exam 2 (Barthes)

Question 1

What tradition in Barthes associated with?

Answer 1

Semiotic tradition

Question 2

What is the focus of Barthes theory?

Answer 2

• Structured systems of signs (codes as social phenomenon)
• How codes constitute culture
• How ideologies are embedded in semiotic systems

Question 3

What is a “Social Phenomenon”?

Answer 3

How codes function in society

Question 4

What is a “Culture”?

Answer 4

A system of meanings expressed in myths, rituals, clothing, food, relationships.

Question 5

What are “Ideologies”?

Answer 5

Implicit/Unconscious meaning that express particular values.

Question 6

What are “Semiotic Systems”?

Answer 6

(Ex- Body ideals express gender ideology

Question 7

How does Barthes differ from pierce?

Answer 7

• Pierce is theorizing how we constitute signs in the mind. (ex- The 3 kinds of signs; Icon, Index, Symbol).
• Barthes looks at cultural social codes, how out society develops some semiotic traditions, hot it changes between cultures.

Question 8

What is Connotation?

Answer 8

Meanings suggested or implied to be a sign (ex- “Hitler” connotes evil, racism, war, genocide)

Question 9

What is Denotation?

Answer 9

Literal meaning or reference of sign (ex- “Hitler” Denotes a particular person).

Question 10

What is a photographic paradox?

Answer 10

Both a denotation and connotation, within a photograph (ex - Picture of Indian girl is a simple denotation, and when you come up with the idea that she looks hungry, thats a connotation).

Question 11

What are Barthes Photographic procedures of connotation?

Answer 11

• Trick Effects- (Fake photos, Digital Editing)
• Pose- (Posture, arrangement of people)
• Objects- (placement of objects in photo)
• Photogenia- (Technical aspects of the photo: Lighting, exposure, printing
• Aestheticism- (Imitation of artistic styles)
• Syntax- (arrangment of photos in series)

Question 12

What Connotations did Barthes find in the panzani ad discussed in class?

Answer 12

When the french think Italian, the colors, organic of foods and things, are connoted.

Question 13

What is the relation between a news photo and the surrounding text?

Answer 13

(The text around the photo connotes the photo)

1. The text is “parasitic” on the image borrows the images aura of objectivity
2. The closer the text is to the image, the less seems to connote.
3. The words never merely duplicate the image they add new connotations.

Question 14

What are 3 modes of connotation according to Barthes?

Answer 14

1. Perceptive - We automatically categorize what we perceive.
2. Cognitive - We recognize things that we know about (depends on the readers knowledge)
3. Ideological ethical - We recognize values depicted (beauty, Fashion) Ex - The way the pictures were taken of the amish.

Question 15

Why did Barthes think pure denotation is possible but not typical?

Answer 15

Barthes says it is possible to have pure denotation, only for absolutely traumatic, “shocking” images. (ex - Disaster photos, Twin towers)

Question 16

How does Barthes frame problems of “Shared Meaning” (codes, with certain culture)

Answer 16

• Unconscious cultural differences (different meanings)
• Hidden idealogical connotations (unawareness of meanings that may be questionable.

EXAMPLE - How the Rolling Stone Boston Bomber makes him look like a rockstar, because of the lighting, even the caption next tot eh image doesn’t make him look as the person he really is.

Question 17

What is shared meaning?

Answer 17

We share systems of signs (codes) that constitute a common culture.