StructuralismStructuralism

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Major FiguresMajor Figures

Ferdinand de Saussure - Often considered the “father” of structuralism. Ferdinand de Saussure - Often considered the “father” of structuralism. Central notion of his teachingsCentral notion of his teachings is that language may be analyzed as a is that language may be analyzed as a formal system of differential elements, apart from the messy dialectics of formal system of differential elements, apart from the messy dialectics of real-time production and comprehension. Examples of these elements real-time production and comprehension. Examples of these elements include the notion of the linguistic sign, the signifier, the signified, and the include the notion of the linguistic sign, the signifier, the signified, and the referentreferent..

Claude Levi-Strauss - derived structuralism from a school of linguistics Claude Levi-Strauss - derived structuralism from a school of linguistics whose focus was not on the meaning of the word, but the patterns that the whose focus was not on the meaning of the word, but the patterns that the words form. words form.

Jonathan Culler – graduated from Harvard in 1966, current English Jonathan Culler – graduated from Harvard in 1966, current English professor at Cornell. Voice of structuralism in America. Published professor at Cornell. Voice of structuralism in America. Published Structuralist PoeticsStructuralist Poetics

A.J. Greimas – Lithuanian linguist who contributed to the theory of A.J. Greimas – Lithuanian linguist who contributed to the theory of semiotics.semiotics.

Roland Barthes –influenced the schools of critical theories such as Roland Barthes –influenced the schools of critical theories such as structuralism, semiotics, Marxism, existentialism, and post-structuralism.structuralism, semiotics, Marxism, existentialism, and post-structuralism.

OriginsOrigins

Can be seen as an extension of Formalism due to the fact that both Can be seen as an extension of Formalism due to the fact that both Structuralism and Formalism devote their attention to matters of Structuralism and Formalism devote their attention to matters of literary form (i.e. structure) rather than social or historical content.literary form (i.e. structure) rather than social or historical content.

In addition, both Formalism and Structuralism intend to put the study In addition, both Formalism and Structuralism intend to put the study of literature into the realm of science, to evaluate it logically and of literature into the realm of science, to evaluate it logically and objectively.objectively.

Also closely related to semiotics.Also closely related to semiotics.

SEMIOTICS: SEMIOTICS: study of sign processes or signification and study of sign processes or signification and communication, signs and symbols. Also includes the study of how communication, signs and symbols. Also includes the study of how meaning is constructed and undertstood.meaning is constructed and undertstood.

Key PointsKey Points

Analyzes pieces of work as ‘textual’Analyzes pieces of work as ‘textual’

TEXTUAL: composed of signs, governed by conventions of meanings, TEXTUAL: composed of signs, governed by conventions of meanings, ordered according to a pattern of relationships.ordered according to a pattern of relationships.

*In short, to concentrate on patterns, both in the work and between multiple *In short, to concentrate on patterns, both in the work and between multiple works.works.

Some structuralists (and a related school of critics called the Russian Some structuralists (and a related school of critics called the Russian Formalists) propose that all narratives can be considered variations on Formalists) propose that all narratives can be considered variations on universal narrative patterns.universal narrative patterns.

*In short, any new story is considered a twist on an old story. For example, *In short, any new story is considered a twist on an old story. For example, the concept of Shakespeare’s Capulets and Montagues; two warring the concept of Shakespeare’s Capulets and Montagues; two warring families with families with children who fall in love. This cliché is used multiple times with slight children who fall in love. This cliché is used multiple times with slight variations.variations.

Key Points Continued…Key Points Continued…

Structuralism concentrates on the idea that we do not speak Structuralism concentrates on the idea that we do not speak language, but rather, “language speaks us.” It argues that the language, but rather, “language speaks us.” It argues that the systems of language, which have existed far longer than any systems of language, which have existed far longer than any author today, already exist and we merely borrow words for our author today, already exist and we merely borrow words for our use. In this way, there is no originality, only recreating the “already use. In this way, there is no originality, only recreating the “already written.”written.”

*In short, nothing is original. Every “new” work is based off *In short, nothing is original. Every “new” work is based off another work.another work.

Key Points Continued Even MoreKey Points Continued Even More

Saussure regarded the signifier (works, marks or s ymbols) as unrelated Saussure regarded the signifier (works, marks or s ymbols) as unrelated to the signified (the actual concept) to which it referred.to the signified (the actual concept) to which it referred.

Structuralists put a special emphasis on “langue” rather than on “parole.” Structuralists put a special emphasis on “langue” rather than on “parole.”

LANGUE: language when considering it a system of rules and LANGUE: language when considering it a system of rules and conventions.conventions.

PAROLE: language when being used to express a concept.PAROLE: language when being used to express a concept.

*In short, Structuralism analyzes the placement and usage of words and *In short, Structuralism analyzes the placement and usage of words and symbols, not of what the words and symbols actually represent. symbols, not of what the words and symbols actually represent. HOWEVER, while plot may be a concept rather than a symbol, HOWEVER, while plot may be a concept rather than a symbol, Structuralism also compares and contrasts these to find patterns among Structuralism also compares and contrasts these to find patterns among works of literature.works of literature.

Enables both the reading of texts and the reading of cultures.Enables both the reading of texts and the reading of cultures.