Narative Theory Final

8/2/2019 Narative Theory Final

1/7

SE7EN

Narrative

Theory


2/7

Hermeneutic CodeThe Hermeneutic Code

poses questions orenigmas to the audience

which provide narrative

suspense.

In Se7en there are many

question posed to theaudience throughout the

opening sequence.

Regina

Roland Barthes

Enigma Codes

present 5 Codes.

We are focussing on

the Hermeneutic

Code.


3/7

Hermeneutic Code

Who do the hands belong to?The extreme close ups of the hands

frequently appearing, lures the audience

into questioning who is the person in the

opening sequence. This is typical of

psychological thrillers.

Why is he cutting the skin off

his fingertips?The music non-diegetic music is quite

slow paced to begin with, with a

reoccurring pattern of high pitched

screeches and noises which are heard

while an extreme close up of the

cutting off of the skin on the fingertipsof an unknown persons hands is seen.

The non-diegetic music causes

suspense and discomfort, which is

common for psychological thriller

films. The image is in extreme close up

and nothing else is seen on screen, this

invading camera shot leads the

audience no knowledge of who the

person is and why they are cutting theskin off their fingertips.

What are they planning ?The images of unknown people,

pages and pages of writing, dates

and someone highlighting certain

points. The fast paced editing from

scene to scene doesnt leave

enough time for the audience to

figure out exactly is what is beingplanned, therefore concealing the

whole plot which is definitely

common of a psychological thriller

film.

Regina


4/7

Disequilibrium

The cutting of the skin off his fingers,

represents disequilibrium. Removing

finger prints shows, some intent to doharm. Also shows a lack of mental

stability to inflict self-harm. The fact

that the identity of the man is still

unknown, also shows that he does not

perhaps want his identity to be

revealed. Rather than the storystarting with a happy day, these

actions highlight that there is

something not quite right. Being the

disequilibrium.

Anthony


5/7

Obsessive nature is represented through continuously analyzing and

editing articles, all articles are on females (some of whom are pregnant).

Which suggest the person has an obsession with female characters. Also

the removal of the word God in one article shows he doesnt believe in

religion, which could link to actions. As his actions arent influenced by any

particular faith. Also, the removal of words, and crossing out words, could

suggest that what he believes in is right and societies morals and opinions

are wrong rather than his own.

Imagery

Anthony


6/7

Sound & Imagery

The black background which it cuts to

between clips, represents the theme of

unease and perhaps links to the traditional

dark theme of death typically associated with

thrillers. The titling in the opening credits are

fragmented and disordered, which equals less

stability (or equilibrium). Resulting in the

audience feeling less secure, which reflects

the genre of a psychological thriller and adds

to a sense of disequilibrium.

In the opening minutes, theres

screams. The use of non-diegetic

sounds, typifies psychological thrillers

by magnifying a sense of

disequilibrium. There is an element

of maturity behind the music, which

signifies it is for an older audience. By

using fast paced music, this causes

unease and adds to the intensity (and

further more adds to the

disequilibrium).

Anthony


7/7

Non-Linear No clear structure to scenes- random

Not in chronological order

Appears that the audience has come into the film in the middle as we do not know

entirely what and why the character is doing what he is doing

For example these three frames (above ) randomly flicker between each other, leaving the audience unsure about the motive

of the maneuvering character or how these scenes relate to each other, which is typical of a psychological horror.

< Here we see thecharacters actions out of

chronological order which

builds suspense, a feeling

typical of the genre, as

the audience remains

unsure of the building

plot.

The frames continuously cut to close ups of images we

have never seen before (as seen left) we know nothing of

the boy in the frame or what has caused him to be involved

and scribbled out. It could hint any ends of things however

due to the audiences ignorance we have no definite

answer.

Danny

Narative Theory Final

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