Barthes Meets "The Sopranos"

The first quote that I find illuminates the advertising of the last episodes for the "Sopranos" has to do with the denotative message that the audience would perceive. The quote is as follows: "The utopian character of denotation is considerably reinforced by the paradox already mentioned, that the photograph (in its literal state), by virtue of its absolutely analogical nature, seems to constitute a message" (Barthes 277). We can use the "Sopranos" poster as an example similar to a photograph, as it is not a drawing like Barthes goes on to explain the differences of the two in his essay. And just like Barthes mentions, there are many different messages that can come out of these images. Where this coded message resides is exactly what people will ask, and only a close look at the images will they be able to tell. At first glance at just the images, one sees Kevin Gandolfini, the lead character of "The Sopranos" to the right of the poster space in a stark black and white color, dressed in a nice suit and tie, looking off the the left of the space. The next images that might catch the audiences eye, although they may be more insignificant, tend to convey hidden messages that can be revealed in a connotative look of the poster. The background consists of the Statue of Liberty to the left, in tones of black and white, and a flock of flying geese also in tones of black and white.

To begin with a second quote from "Rhetoric of the Image", I believe that the best quote to describe what the audience might first pick up on in terms of connotative evaluation has to do with the visual image of Gandolfini. There is a lot to comprehend as it pertains to the image, and it allows the audience to question the signified of the image and place it in a larger context. The quote is as follows: "...in advertising the signification of the image is undoubtedly intentional; the signifieds of the advertising message are formed 'a priori' by certain attributes of the product and these signifieds have to be transmitted as clearly as possible" (Barthes 270). While the image of Gandolfini is a signifier, there are many different signifieds that one can ascertain from it. In terms of feelings and emotions, one might be that the signified is a sense of sadness, a loss of hope. His eyes seem to be a signifier of their own as well, as they are not looking directly out, but rather they are looking off to the left as if he is looking for something or is thinking. The signified might be a lack of focus, misdirection, or not having any interest. The signifier of the Statue of Liberty might give off the signified as America, the ideals of America, or justice. While the signifier of the geese might represent the signified of leaving for a while or moving on, and seeing as it is the final episodes of the show, it could be just that.

The third quote I chose tends to do more with the linguistic message of the poster. The words "The Final Episodes-April 8, 9PM" and "Made in America" are the only ones that appear on it. Not even the show's name "The Soprano's" appears. This in of itself gives of a clear linguistic message even though the letters aren't there; one is to assume that maybe the show is so popular that everyone would know what it was at first glance. "The text directs the reader through the signifieds of the image, causing him to avoid some and receive others..." (Barthes 275). This statement cannot be more true in this context, as the words help put the picture in context of the signifiers so that a signified can be established. Just the words about the show having its final episodes creates an environment in the poster to help distinguish the messages within. And that is a perfect form of relay between the poster and its audience.