Barthes, “Rhetoric of the Image” Reading Questions
Barthes identifies three classes of message within the image
1) the linguistic message (written word/text)
2) the symbolic message (connoted)
3) the literal message (denoted)
1. According to Barthes, what are the two types of linguistic messages in the ad?
2. When Barthes discusses symbolic and literal messages, he is simultaneously
distinguishing between the denotative and connotative meaning. Define
these terms.
a. Denotation:
b. Connotation:
3. Barthes mentions four signs representing the symbolic message in the ad.
What are these four signs and what do they connote?
4. Barthes discusses the literal message of the ad, or the denotation. What are
some examples of the objects and their denotative meanings?