From Anders Fagerjord:I have been ¡­

From Anders Fagerjord:

I have been asked about Barthes' many terms and levels. It is important to bear in mind that Barthes writes in a tradition where he first launches a term, and then divides it into smaller terms.

First he says that everything in a narrative are functions (p. 89 in the 1977 Heath edition). Later, he states that "distributional" functions "correspond to what Propp [¡­] take as functions [¡­]. The term 'functions' will be reserved for these units [¡­]" (92). These functions are what happens, the elements of the action, which he divides into "cardinal functions" (a.ka. "nuclei") and "catalysts".

Functions are distributive. They are chains of causes or actions happening over time. They "distribute" the actions over time.

Indices are integrative, as they describe what does not change over time, such as characters, place, or epoch ("middle age", "Oslo, 1990ies", "Mines of Moria").

Functions and indices are the first level of description. Th second level of descriptions are the abstract actions. They may be described using Todorov's terms: "degradation of situation", "state of disequilibrium observed", etc. Or one may use Greimas' terms: The Prince is a Donor, giving Life and Freedom back to Snow White. The seven dwarves are Helpers, while the evil queen is the Opponent.

The third level is the narration. One may use Bordwell and Thompson's terms "range" and "depth" of knowledge. Do we in the audience know what the main character does? Do we know more? Do we know her inner thoughts or feelings? Is knowledge held back to achieve an effect?

Hope this helps.