Thesis / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The aim of this study is to contribute to the investigation of the methods in which serial technique expresses meaning in the first movement of Arnold Schoenberg's Third Quartet, Op.30. It aims to add to the debate concerning Schoenberg's use of conventional formsparticularly sonata form-in his serial music, by investigating how he manipulates the row to playa narrative function, seemingly in opposition to its homogeneous nature. The analytical section consists of a semiotic analysis based on the work of Jean- Jacques Nattiez. It incorporates a narratological analysis which infers from the semiotic data that Schoenberg's "idea", which is associated with notions of unity, is brought towards fulfilment through his narrativization of the row in the context of sonata form. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doel van hierdie studie is om by te dra tot die ondersoek na die metodes met behulp waarvan seriële tegniek "betekenis" tot uitdrukking bring in Arnold Schoenberg se derde strykkwartet, op. 30. Dit poog om 'n bydrae te lewer tot die debat oor Schoenberg se gebruik van konvensionele vorms-in besonder sonatevorm-in sy seriële musiek te ondersoek, deur middel van manipulasies van die reeks in diens van 'n narratiewe funksie, oënskynlik in teenstelling met die homogene aard van die reeks. Die analitiese gedeelte van die studie bestaan uit 'n semiotiese analise gebaseer op die werk van Jean-Jacques Nattiez. Hierby word ingesluit 'n narratologiese analise waarin vanuit die semiotiese data afgelei word dat Schoenberg se "idee", wat geassosieer word met opvattings van eenheid, tot 'n slotsom gebring word deur middel van sy narrativering van die reeks in die konteks van sonatevorm.