Semiotic Analysis: Application of Five Codes of Ronald Barthes’ on Mohsin Hamids’ Novel “Moth Smoke’’

Abstract

The main aim of this study is to analyze Mohsin Hamids’ novel “Moth Smoke” by using semiotics theory of five codes which Ronald Barthes has proposed for textual analysis. By keeping in view, this research is conducted to follow some objectives and aims. The main aim of this research is to interpret the hidden meanings and voices behind the textual signifiers. By keeping in view, the Five Codes of Barthes’ Theory, the concealed meanings and voices are also interpreted. The qualitative descriptive method is used for textual analysis and quantitative method is used to make frequency list of cultural codes. This study is based on the textual analysis of the novel, “MothSmoke” by Mohsin Hamid and this study is conducted by using step by step method used by Barthes’ in his book “Sarrasine”. Ronald Barthes Narrative Model is used as analytical framework while Pierre Bourdieu Cultural Capital Theory is used as theoretical framework in order to find out Barthes’ codes in the text. By applying Barthes’ Narrative Model, the results of the current study shows that this novel comprises all the five codes such as the hermeneutic code, the proairetic code, the semantic code, the symbolic code and the cultural code which had enigmatic, suspensive elements. Hidden meanings of the text much needed to be interpreted for better understanding of binary oppositions and cultural references. Almost thirty-six cultural codes are found in the text. In short, this novel contains all the five codes