Semiotic Analysis

Making Meaning

Language (texts) a system of signs Meaning not obvious, must be elicited Signs are arbitrary

– “alphabet of deaf-mutes” Relationships between signs &

components of signs is key

Signs

Sound-Image

signifier

Concept

signified

Relationship is arbitrary, unmotivated, unnatural

Symbols

Signifier

Signified

Schoolhouse

Education Education

Signs & Symbols

Relationship between sign & symbol NOT wholly arbitrary

Meanings of signs must be learned– Structured associations– Codes

Codes

Intelligible – signifiers and signified agree

Messages & Meaning

Everything sends a message– Clothing– Food– Gestures– Rituals– Texts of all kinds

Matching Meaning

Connotation Figurative Signified Inferred Suggests meaning Realm of myth

Denotation Literal Signifier Obvious Describes Realm of existence

Denotation

Literal

Signifier

Obvious

Describes

Realm of existence

Connotation

Figurative

Signified

Inferred

Suggests meaning

Realm of myth

Denotation

Literal

Signifier

Obvious

Describes

Realm of existence

Connotation

Figurative

Signified

Inferred

Suggests meaning

Realm of myth

Semiotics

How meaning is created & conveyed Signs – combinations of signified &

signifier Relationships between signs key

– Language is social institution All is “text”

Intertextuality

Conscious or unconscious Parody

– Style– Genre

Quote Homage

Intertextuality

Metaphor– Like or as

Metonomy– Implied– Association with known image

• Uncle Sam• Cowboy hat• Red rose

Codes

Based in socialization– Can vary from transmitter to receiver of

texts Cultural captial

– Toolset for understanding codes– Some meanings easier to understand,

“taken for granted”

Codes

Audiences negotiate meaning– Intended meaning– Negotiated meaning– Oppositional meaning

OJ LA Riots Cathy Freeman

Intertextuality & codes

Appropriation Homage Signs/signified Cultural capital Social world

Codes

All-pervasive Specific Clear cut

Personality, social roles, institutions, ideology Genre, formula Rituals, expectations

Cinematic Technique

Signifier

Close-up

Medium shot

Full shot

Long shot

Definition

Face

Most of body

Full body

Setting & characters

Signified

Intimacy

Personal relationship

Social relationship

Context, scope, distance

Decoding “Pulp Fiction”

Looking for oppositions Character Time period/cohesion Mood Power Sexuality

Decoding “Pulp Fiction”

What does the surveillance suggest? Why do both characters use drugs? What is accomplished by the “square?” What function does the car/booth

serve? What is implied by hand-rolled

cigarettes? What is the purpose of the dance?

Decoding “Pulp Fiction”

Surveillance Camera– Power shift– Gaze (hers, ours)

• Subject/object transfer

– Omnipresent husband/boss– Class difference– Veil

• Insecurity, anticipation, propriety

Decoding “Pulp Fiction”

Drugs– Outsiders– Glamour

• Sophistication, control, expense

– Insecurity– Sexual surrogate– Death

• Intensity, surreal, shifting consequences

Decoding “Pulp Fiction”

“Square” Booth Cigarettes Dance

Short Essay

There are 3 positions a “reader” can take in relationship to a “text” and its meaning. Briefly describe each of these positions, and give an example using “Pulp Fiction” or another popular text for material.