Lost Narrative Analysis

For this task I am going to analyse the opening sequence to the first ever episode of Lost, the episode being called 'Pilot'. I am going to analyse it using Roland Barthes five narrative codes. The opening sequence can be seen below:


Hermeneutic (enigma)-Why has the man awoken in the jungle?  Why is he important? Is he aware of why this is? Why does he have cuts on his face? Why does he have a bottle of vodka with him? Why is the dog there? Is the dog part of his imagination? Why does he start running through the jungle? Where is he running to?  Why are we shown the shoe in the tree? Does this symbolise something?


Proairetic (action)- As the audience would be very confused during this opening sequence. There is a slight sense of direction shown towards the end. As the character starts frantically running through the jungle; this suggest that it is definite that something of great significance is going to happen next and this will give the audience a greater understanding of what has occurred or what is currently occurring. As the character has awoken in the jungle and is disorientated, confused and physically injured the audience could make a reasonable guess that the character is running towards the reason he is in the jungle, i.e. some wreckage as the show is called 'Lost' maybe he is stranded there. Also as the scene ends we are shown a shoe in a tree, which could be another sign that something is going to happen next or perhaps it is important that we are shown that as it may be significant later. The music and the intense running scene again show that something is going to happen next as they build up tension.


Semantic- The lighting shows that the place that the character may be 'evil' as it is a particularly dark place as low-key lighting is used. The extreme close up of the man's eye shows that he will be a predominantly a key character and may be one of the main characters; as it allows the audience to engage with him and share his emotions as we see what he sees. The editing shows the character's fear as it shows constant quick eye line matches as he keeps looking around. The non diegetic use of the eerie music shows the intensity and the danger of the scene. The character's body language and clothing shows that he is not supposed to be in the jungle as he stumbles through the jungle not knowing where he is going; plus he is wearing a suit which would not be worn in a jungle.


Symbolic- The conventional use of 'good vs. evil' or 'light vs. dark' is used in this opening sequence. As the jungle is portrayed as a dark, mysterious place and the man is wearing a white shirt, which symbolises that his character is good.


Referential- There are no referential codes within this opening sequence that I am aware of.