He proposes that one should study the structure of narratives, and that, he claims, can only be found in the narratives themselves. He proposes that one looks at how linguistics have done, and study structures beyond the sentence. Narratives, as an example of structures of meaning, can be studied on different levels of description. Terms acquire meaning not in isolation, but in relationship with other terms, on the same level, and on different levels. Narratives are a hierarchy of instances. Barthes describes three levels: functions (bottom level), actions (middle level), and narration (top level), summarized in this diagram:
narration (top level) narrative communication narrative situation actions (middle level) functions (bottom level) functions (relate to the same level) cardinal functions (nuclei) (important for the narrative) catalysers (complementary) indices (relate across levels) indices (relate to character, feeling, atmosphere, philosophy) informants (identifies, locates in space and time)Functions are the smallest unit of narrative, something that may not have meaning directly but which acquire meaning in combination with other units, on the same level or on a higher level. Functions can in some cases be shorter than the sentence, even parts of a word. A unit can belong to more than one class. Informants and indices can combine freely. A catalyser implies the existence of a nuclei to which it can connect. Nuclei are bound together by a relation of solidarity. A sequence is a logical succession of nuclei bound together by a relation of solidarity. Sequences can be included in other, larger sequences, still on the 'functional' level.
Actions is the level of characters. Characters in the narrative are classified, not in terms of psychological essences, but according to their participation in actions. Actions often have two sides. For instance 'Giving' has a Donor and a Receiver. Example of actions are desire, communication, struggle.
The narrational level include narrative communication (author, narrator, and 'reader') and narrative situation ("the set of protocols according to which the narrative is 'consumed'." (p. 58)). Here is included different styles of representation, 'point of view', coded signs of narrative ('once upon a time', etc.).