The novel “Da Vinci code†as a symbolic-semiotic model of alternatıve history

Abstract

In the novels of Dan Brown alternative history dominates. The author creates a bridge between present and past, studying existing world history and demonstrating counter attitude to the so-called history. This method that we call alternative history is one of the key features of modern novels. As we are living in a postmodern era it is understandable that modern novels tend to classic columns. It is obviously seen in the novel “The Da Vinci Codeâ€. Building the future based on the remnants of the past is considered a new approach towards art. The article studies the symbolic-semiotic model of alternative history based on this novel. The occurrences that are in the novel, the postmodern attitude towards history, and the codes that are expressed with symbolism are analyzed here. The main purpose of Dan Brown is to protect the reader from “iconsâ€. Choosing science or religion as a means for this is not essential for him. The novel is symbolic as much as it is postmodern. Important symbols such as Saint Graal, the image Jesus, Sacred Feminine define the structure and idea of the novel. The messages the author tries to deliver via the language of symbols can be the realities of today and the future. The alternative history that the author created is an attempt of historical realities to approach the truth. Though symbolic-semiotic structure decreases the literary and aesthetic value of the novel, its concept is obvious. Alternative history in the novel is analysed as the basics of the semiotic-symbolic model in the article.