Lexia Analysis: Roland Barthes’ Lexia
Outlined below is a read-out from a python script (see README) emulating Roland Barthes’ step-by-step method, enumerated in his well-known book S/Z, to ‘star the text’ into lexia (small reading units).
The goal is not to recover one ‘true’ structure, but to show how meaning is produced: how motifs recur, how oppositions (inside/outside, life/death) frame scenes, how actions and enigmas pace reading, and how cultural knowledge leaks in as referential cues. Barthes describes this as weaving five codes (or ‘voices’) across the text: hermeneutic (HER), proairetic (ACT), semic (SEM), symbolic (SYM), and referential (REF). He treats them as interlacing line rather than a single hierarchy.
Let us designate as hermeneutic code (HER) all the units whose function it is to articulate in various ways a question, its response, and the variety of chance events which can either formulate the question or delay its answer; or even, constitute an enigma and lead to its solution. […] Although every unit we mention here will be a signifier … [w]e shall call this element … a seme (semantically, the seme is the unit of the signifier) and we shall indicate these units by the abbreviation SEM, designating each time by an approximate word the connotative signifier referred to in the lexia […O]n the symbolic level, an immense province appears, the province of the antithesis, of which 17this forms the first unit, linking at the start its two adversative terms (A/B) in the word daydream. (We shall mark all the units in this symbolic area with the letters SYM. …) […] In Aristotelian terms, in which praxis is linked to proairesis, or the ability rationally to determine the result of an action, we shall name this code of actions and behavior proairetic (in narrative, however, the discourse, rather than the characters, determines the action). This code of actions will be abbreviated ACT; furthermore, since these actions produce effects, each effect will have a generic name giving a kind of title to the sequence […Finally, a unit formed] by a gnomic code, and this code is one of the numerous codes of knowledge or wisdom to which the text continually refers; we shall call them in a very general way cultural codes (even though, of course, all codes are cultural), or rather, since they afford the discourse a basis in scientific or moral authority, we shall call them reference codes (REF. Gnomic code) (Barthes, S/Z, pp.17-18; emphasis added)
Barthes’ approach to the text purposefully breaks the ‘natural’ flow of narration to create these observational spaces, then tracks how the five codes interweave to produce a structuration rather than expose one master structure.
The following is a read-out of 12 lexia originally identified by Roland Barthes, which are interpreted via the script (using an LLM API). This can be contrasted with a version using the LLM to automate the process of identify the lexia – which in this case provides 40 lexia (for the same paragraph). An overview of the coding, reproduction of the original Balzac paragraph and overall aims are given in the README index card.
Lexia (1-12) identified in Barthes’ S/Z
[1] I was deep in one of those daydreams
HER ✓ Introduces an enigma about the nature of the daydream; deep in one of those daydreams
ACT —
SEM ✓ deep, daydreams | Motifs: daydream, depth
SYM ✓ Contrasts deep thought with implied shallow surroundings
deep
Oppositions: depth vs. shallowness
REF —
Domains: —
Enumerated meanings (≤4): Mental absorption; Contrast between inner and outer worlds; Universality of daydreaming
Sensory fields: —
Commentary: This opening lexia sets up a tension between the narrator’s inner mental state and the external social environment. It hints at a rich inner life that exists alongside, yet separate from, the social world, preparing the reader for potential revelations or insights.
Code strengths: HER=2, ACT=0, SEM=2, SYM=2, REF=0
[2] which overtake even the shallowest of men, in the midst of the most tumultuous parties.
HER ✓ Hints at a mysterious experience during a party daydreams, overtake
ACT —
SEM ✓ deep, shallowest, tumultuous | Motifs: depth, shallowness, tumult
SYM ✓ Contrasts inner experience with external environment; deep, shallowest, tumultuous
Oppositions: deep vs shallow, calm vs tumultuous
REF ✓ Alludes to party culture and mental states parties, daydreams, overtake
Domains: social gatherings, psychology
Enumerated meanings (≤4): Universality of introspective moments; Contrast between inner calm and outer chaos; Unexpected depth in seemingly shallow individuals; Dissonance between social expectations and personal experience
Sensory fields: —
Commentary: This lexia bridges the narrator’s internal state with the external party setting. It suggests a moment of reflection amidst social activity, hinting at a deeper narrative to unfold.
Code strengths: HER=1, ACT=0, SEM=2, SYM=3, REF=2
[3] Midnight had just sounded from the clock of the Elysée-Bourbon.
HER ✓ The precise time creates suspense, suggesting something significant may occur; Midnight had just sounded
ACT ✓ The sounding of midnight marks a temporal shift in the narrative; Midnight had just sounded
SEM ✓ Midnight, Elysée-Bourbon | Motifs: time, place
SYM ✓ Midnight symbolizes a threshold between one day and the next.
Midnight
Oppositions: day vs night
REF ✓ References to Parisian location and precise timekeeping; Elysée-Bourbon, clock
Domains: Parisian landmarks, timekeeping
Enumerated meanings (≤4): Temporal precision; Spatial setting; Symbolic threshold; Cultural reference
Sensory fields: auditory=clock sounding;
Commentary: This lexia establishes a precise moment and location, creating a sense of anticipation. It transitions from the previous lexia’s introspective tone to a more concrete setting, potentially signaling a shift in the narrative focus.
Code strengths: HER=2, ACT=1, SEM=2, SYM=2, REF=3
[4] Seated in a window recess
HER —
ACT ✓ The action of being seated is implied; Seated
SEM ✓ window recess | Motifs: interior space, architectural detail
SYM ✓ The window recess represents a liminal space between interior and exterior window recess
Oppositions: inside vs outside
REF ✓ Refers to specific architectural features of upper-class homes; window recess
Domains: architecture, domestic interiors
Enumerated meanings (≤4): Position of observation; Liminal space; Architectural detail; Implied seclusion
Sensory fields: visual=window recess
Commentary: This lexia establishes a specific location within an interior space, suggesting a vantage point for observation. It follows the temporal marker of the previous lexia, implying a nocturnal setting, and precedes a description of concealment, hinting at a secretive or voyeuristic perspective.
Code strengths: HER=0, ACT=1, SEM=2, SYM=2, REF=1
[5] and hidden behind the sinuous folds of a silk curtain,
HER ✓ The curtain creates mystery about what lies beyond hidden behind, sinuous folds
ACT —
SEM ✓ silk curtain, sinuous folds | Motifs: luxury, concealment
SYM ✓ The curtain symbolizes a barrier between observer and observed hidden behind
Oppositions: hidden vs revealed
REF ✓ Evokes upper-class domestic settings silk curtain
Domains: interior design, textile
Enumerated meanings (≤4): Concealment and mystery; Luxury and refinement; Barrier between spaces; Voyeuristic positioning
Sensory fields: visual=sinuous folds, silk curtain; tactile=silk
Commentary: This lexia establishes the narrator’s hidden vantage point, creating a sense of secrecy and privileged observation. It sets up a voyeuristic dynamic, with the narrator concealed yet able to view the garden beyond.
Code strengths: HER=2, ACT=0, SEM=3, SYM=2, REF=1
[6] I could contemplate at my leisure the garden of the mansion where I was spending the evening.
HER —
ACT ✓ The narrator is observing the garden; contemplate at my leisure
SEM ✓ garden of the mansion, spending the evening | Motifs: garden, mansion, evening
SYM ✓ The narrator is inside looking out at the garden; contemplate, garden of the mansion
Oppositions: inside vs outside
REF ✓ Implies a formal social event at a wealthy residence mansion, spending the evening
Domains: upper-class social gatherings
Enumerated meanings (≤4): Narrator’s privileged viewpoint; Leisurely observation of nature; Social context of wealth and leisure; Contrast between interior and exterior spaces
Sensory fields: visual=garden, mansion
Commentary: This lexia establishes the narrator’s position as an observer, creating a frame for the description that follows. It sets up a contrast between the interior social space and the exterior natural world, which will be elaborated in the subsequent lexia.
Code strengths: HER=0, ACT=1, SEM=2, SYM=2, REF=2
[7] The trees, partially covered with snow, stood out dimly against the grayish background of a cloudy sky, barely whitened by the moon. Seen amid these fantastic surroundings, they vaguely resembled ghosts half out of their shrouds, a gigantic representation of the famous Dance of the Dead.
HER —
ACT —
SEM ✓ snow, cloudy sky, moon, ghosts, shroudsMotifs: winter, night, ghostliness
SYM ✓ Trees symbolize life but are likened to death imagery trees, ghosts, Dance of the Dead
Oppositions: life vs death, reality vs fantasy
REF ✓ Alludes to a specific artistic motif Dance of the Dead
Domains: art history, folklore
Enumerated meanings (≤4): Eerie winter nightscape; Blurring of natural and supernatural; Allusion to macabre artistic tradition; Transformation of ordinary into extraordinary
Sensory fields: visual=snow, grayish, cloudy sky, moon, trees, ghosts
Commentary: This lexia establishes a haunting atmosphere through vivid visual imagery. It transforms the garden from a mundane setting into a fantastical, almost supernatural space, preparing the reader for potential uncanny or mysterious events to follow.
Code strengths: HER=0, ACT=0, SEM=3, SYM=2, REF=1
[8] Then, turning in the other direction,
HER ✓ Creates suspense about what will be seen next; Then, turning in the other direction,
ACT ✓ Indicates a physical movement and shift in perspective turning
SEM —
SYM ✓ Suggests a contrast between two scenes or perspectives turning in the other direction
Oppositions: one direction vs other direction
REF —
Domains: —
Enumerated meanings (≤4): Transition between scenes; Anticipation of a new view; Physical movement of the narrator
Sensory fields: visual=turning
Commentary: This lexia serves as a pivotal moment, transitioning from the ghostly, snow-covered scene to a new perspective. It creates anticipation for what will be revealed next, contrasting with the previous description of the ‘Dance of the Dead’.
Code strengths: HER=2, ACT=2, SEM=0, SYM=1, REF=0
[9] I could admire the Dance of the Living!
HER —
ACT ✓ The narrator expresses ability to admire a metaphorical dance; I could admire, Dance of the Living
SEM ✓ Dance, Living | Motifs: vitality, spectacle
SYM ✓ The ‘Living’ implies an opposition to death or stillness; Living
Oppositions: life vs death
REF ✓ Alludes to lively social events and performances Dance of the Living
Domains: social gatherings, entertainment
Enumerated meanings (≤4): Narrator’s capacity for appreciation; Vitality of the scene; Social spectacle; Contrast between life and death
Sensory fields: visual=Dance
Commentary: This lexia serves as a transition, hinting at the vivid scene to follow. It suggests a shift in the narrator’s focus from one view to another, preparing the reader for a detailed description of a lively social gathering.
Code strengths: HER=0, ACT=2, SEM=2, SYM=1, REF=1
[10] a splendid salon decorated in silver and gold, with glittering chandeliers, sparkling with candles. There, milling about, whirling around, flitting here and there, were the most beautiful women of Paris, the richest, the noblest, dazzling, stately, resplendent with diamonds, flowers in their hair, on their bosoms, on their heads, strewn over dresses or in garlands at their feet. Light, rustling movements, voluptuous steps, made the laces, the silk brocades, the gauzes, float around their delicate forms. Here and there, some overly animated glances darted forth, eclipsing the lights, the fire of the diamonds, and stimulated anew some too-ardent hearts. One might also catch movements of the head meaningful to lovers, and negative gestures for husbands. The sudden outbursts of the gamblers’ voices at each unexpected turn of the dice, the clink of gold, mingled with the music and the murmur of conversation, and to complete the giddiness of this mass of people intoxicated by everything seductive the world can hold, a haze of perfume and general inebriation played upon the fevered mind.
HER —
ACT ✓ The lexia describes various actions of the partygoers milling about, whirling around, flitting here and there, Light, rustling movements, voluptuous steps
SEM ✓ splendid salon, glittering chandeliers, most beautiful women, diamonds, flowers, silk brocades, perfume | Motifs: luxury, beauty, sensuality, intoxication
SYM ✓ The lexia emphasizes light and movement, implicitly contrasting with darkness and stillness; glittering, sparkling, Light, rustling movements, whirling around
Oppositions: light vs dark, movement vs stillness
REF ✓ The lexia evokes the world of Parisian aristocracy and their pastimes
Paris, the richest, the noblest, gamblers’ voices, silk brocades, gauzes
Domains: Parisian high society, gambling, fashion
Enumerated meanings (≤4): Opulence and excess of Parisian high society; Sensory overload and intoxication; Social dynamics and hidden communications; Contrast between appearance and underlying tensions
Sensory fields: visual=glittering chandeliers, sparkling with candles, diamonds, flowers; auditory=murmur of conversation, outbursts of the gamblers’ voices, clink of gold; olfactory=haze of perfume; tactile=silk brocades, gauzes, fevered mind
Commentary: This lexia presents a vivid, sensory-rich depiction of a Parisian high society gathering, contrasting with the previous lexia’s mention of ‘the Dance of the Living’. It sets up a dichotomy between life and death, pleasure and stillness, which is further developed in the following lexia.
Code strengths: HER=0, ACT=2, SEM=3, SYM=2, REF=3
[11] Thus, on my right, the dark and silent image of death; on my left, the seemly bacchanalias of life: here, cold nature, dull, in mourning; there, human beings enjoying themselves.
HER —
ACT —
SEM ✓ dark and silent image of death, seemly bacchanalias of life, cold nature, dull, in mourning, human beings enjoying themselves | Motifs: death, life, nature, human enjoyment
SYM ✓ The lexia is structured around stark contrasts between death and life.
on my right, the dark and silent image of death, on my left, the seemly bacchanalias of life, here, cold nature, dull, in mourning, there, human beings enjoying themselves
Oppositions: death vs life, right vs left, dark vs light, cold vs warm, silence vs noise, nature vs human
REF ✓ The text evokes the contrast between lively Parisian social scenes and the ever-present specter of death; bacchanalias of life, human beings enjoying themselves
Domains: Parisian social life, mortality
Enumerated meanings (≤4): Juxtaposition of death and life; Contrast between nature and human society; Spatial organization of opposing concepts; Sensory depiction of mortality and vitality
Sensory fields: visual=dark; auditory=silent; tactile=cold
Commentary: This lexia serves as a pivot point, contrasting the lively scene described in the previous lexia with a somber reflection on mortality. It sets up a thematic tension that will likely be explored further in subsequent passages.
Code strengths: HER=0, ACT=0, SEM=2, SYM=3, REF=1
[12] On the borderline between these two so different scenes, which, a thousand times repeated in various guises, make Paris the world’s most amusing and most philosophical city, I was making for myself a moral macédoine, half pleasant, half funereal. With my left foot I beat time, and I felt as though the other were in the grave. My leg was in fact chilled by one of those insidious drafts which freeze half our bodies while the other half feels the humid heat of rooms, an occurrence rather frequent at balls.
HER —
ACT ✓ The narrator’s physical actions are described; With my left foot I beat time, My leg was in fact chilled
SEM ✓ borderline between these two so different scenes, half pleasant, half funereal, freeze half our bodies while the other half feels the humid heat | Motifs: duality, contrast, physical sensation
SYM ✓ The narrator’s physical experience symbolizes broader contrasts
half pleasant, half funereal, freeze half our bodies while the other half feels the humid heat
Oppositions: life vs death, pleasant vs funereal, cold vs heat
REF ✓ References to Paris and ball attendance; Paris the world’s most amusing and most philosophical city, occurrence rather frequent at balls
Domains: Parisian society, ballroom culture
Enumerated meanings (≤4): Duality of Parisian life; Physical embodiment of philosophical contrasts; Sensory experience as metaphor; Social critique through bodily sensation
Sensory fields: visual=; auditory=; olfactory=; tactile=chilled, freeze, humid heat
Commentary: This lexia bridges the contrasting scenes described in the previous context, embodying the duality in the narrator’s physical experience. It sets up a microcosm of Parisian life through sensory details, preparing for further exploration of social and philosophical themes.
Code strengths: HER=0, ACT=2, SEM=3, SYM=3, REF=2
Notes on Structuralism & AI 