According to Roland Barthes, which of the following “codes” are common to all narratives?
[A] Synthetic code
[B] Proairctic code
[C] Semiccode
[D] Hermencutic code
[E] Symbolic code
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

The correct answer is A, B and C only.

In his influential work S/Z (1970), the French literary theorist Roland Barthes formulated a structural analysis of narratives by breaking them down into codes. These codes represent the different ways information is organized and understood by a reader. The justification for why A, B, and C only are identified as the correct combination is explained below:

1. Synthetic code (Option [A]): In narrative theory, this relates to the synthesis and structural coherence of the plot. It governs how different narrative blocks and structural components are organized, joined, and integrated to form a unified chronological sequence.

2. Proairetic code (Option [B]): Also referred to as the code of actions, this code governs the sequential progression of actions within the plot. It deals with the cause-and-effect relationship of events (e.g., a knock on the door leading to someone opening it), which is an essential structural element in any narrative to drive the story forward.

3. Semic code (Option [C]): This code is responsible for characterization and thematic connotation. It focuses on the semantic markers and descriptive qualities associated with characters, objects, or settings. Because all narratives rely on characters or objects carrying specific connotations to build meaning, the semic code is universally active in text comprehension.