Denotative and Connotative Meanings in The Truman Show: A Semiotic Analysis Based on Roland Barthes' Theory

This research discusses the denotative and connotative meanings found in the film The Truman Show (1998), directed by Peter Weir. The story tells about a man named Truman Burbank who lives in a world that he believes is real, but actually everything around him is a television show created by a production team. This film is full of signs that can be analyzed using semiotic theory. The aim of this study is to analyze the signs in the film based on Roland Barthes’ semiotic theory, especially his idea about two levels of meaning: denotation (the literal meaning) and connotation (the hidden or cultural meaning). This research uses a qualitative method by observing important scenes and objects in the film, such as the ocean, the hidden cameras, the artificial sun, and Truman’s daily routines. The result shows that many of the signs in the film have deeper meanings. For example, the ocean doesn’t only mean water or a barrier, but also represents Truman’s fear and how the media controls him. The hidden cameras show how Truman is always being watched, which can be seen as a sign of surveillance in modern society. These signs help us understand how the film talks about freedom, control, and reality. The Truman Show is a good example of a film that can be analyzed using semiotics. It shows how media can shape reality and control people's lives. Using Barthes’ theory helps us to see the deeper meanings behind simple objects and actions in the film. Keywords: Connotative, Denotative, Semiotics, The Truman Show