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From Structuralism to From Structuralism to Post-Structuralism Post-Structuralism (Deconstruction) (Deconstruction) Constructions of Meanings Constructions of Meanings and their Radical and their Radical Uncertainty Uncertainty

From Structuralism to Post-Structuralism (Deconstruction) Constructions of Meanings and their Radical Uncertainty

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Page 1: From Structuralism to Post-Structuralism (Deconstruction) Constructions of Meanings and their Radical Uncertainty

From Structuralism to From Structuralism to Post-Structuralism (Deconstruction)Post-Structuralism (Deconstruction)

Constructions of Meanings Constructions of Meanings and their Radical Uncertaintyand their Radical Uncertainty

Page 2: From Structuralism to Post-Structuralism (Deconstruction) Constructions of Meanings and their Radical Uncertainty

OutlineOutline Structuralism: Structuralism: A Brief Review A Brief Review (two examples)(two examples) Poststructuralist Views of Language & RealityPoststructuralist Views of Language & Reality

Language Language (Polysemy(Polysemy) and Reality) and Reality Jacque DerridaJacque Derrida: (1) Diff: (1) Difféérancerance Jacque DerridaJacque Derrida: (2) Transcendental Signified: (2) Transcendental Signified

Deconstruction: Practice: Deconstruction: Practice: e.g. Wordsworth’s “e.g. Wordsworth’s “I Wandered Lonely as a CloudI Wandered Lonely as a Cloud”; ”;

Keats’ “Keats’ “Ode on MelancholyOde on Melancholy” ” e.g. “e.g. “Refusal To Mourn The Death, By Fire, Of A

Child In London” Derrida in Context;Derrida in Context;

Self-Conscious/Deconstructing Texts Self-Conscious/Deconstructing Texts

Assignments

Page 3: From Structuralism to Post-Structuralism (Deconstruction) Constructions of Meanings and their Radical Uncertainty

Key words for Structualist and Key words for Structualist and Semiotic approaches:Semiotic approaches:

I. Following language as a model I. Following language as a model II. Disclosing the deep/basic structure of a II. Disclosing the deep/basic structure of a

text, which is a (combination or selection) text, which is a (combination or selection) system of meaningsystem of meaning composed of composed of basic basic elementselements such as: such as: -- binaries, or semiotic rectangles, -- binaries, or semiotic rectangles, -- roles/actant and functions, -- roles/actant and functions, -- mytheme, -- mytheme, -- narrator- narratee, -- narrator- narratee, -- signs or signification on different levels (signifier -- signs or signification on different levels (signifier

and signified).and signified). Roland Barthes’ Semiotics Roland Barthes’ Semiotics

Page 4: From Structuralism to Post-Structuralism (Deconstruction) Constructions of Meanings and their Radical Uncertainty

Semiotics –Some Key ConceptsSemiotics –Some Key Concepts

Culture is composed of different Culture is composed of different languages, or systems of signs; languages, or systems of signs;

Myth (or connotation) is Myth (or connotation) is constructed by emptying out or constructed by emptying out or distorting the signs’ original distorting the signs’ original meanings (denotation); meanings (denotation);

Myth is seductive, and its is Myth is seductive, and its is apparently natural and innocent. apparently natural and innocent.

Page 5: From Structuralism to Post-Structuralism (Deconstruction) Constructions of Meanings and their Radical Uncertainty

Examples for analysis: gender & identity

TOYOTA-VIOS 1.6-TOYOTA-VIOS 1.6-目光吸引篇 目光吸引篇 1.1. Signs? Objectification of the Signs? Objectification of the

Woman? Woman?

2.2. Myth vs. Reality? Myth vs. Reality?

Page 6: From Structuralism to Post-Structuralism (Deconstruction) Constructions of Meanings and their Radical Uncertainty

Two More Examples for analysis: Two More Examples for analysis: gender & identitygender & identity

TOYOTA-VIOS 1.6-TOYOTA-VIOS 1.6-目光吸引篇 目光吸引篇 1.1. Main ideaMain idea: “What do you : “What do you wantwant?” “Vios, it’s ?” “Vios, it’s

everythingeverything.”.”2.2. SignsSigns: : 1) the car: 1) the car: Silver gray colors, in a clean but empty city Silver gray colors, in a clean but empty city

with glass buildings; with glass buildings; easy, fast and smooth easy, fast and smooth drivingdriving luxury and power (The whole city is luxury and power (The whole city is emptied out.)emptied out.)

2) Objectification of the 2) Objectification of the WomanWoman? ? A woman larger than A woman larger than life (with the power of T.V. wall+glass building)life (with the power of T.V. wall+glass building) the the woman’s flowing hair, gaze and smile are signs of the woman’s flowing hair, gaze and smile are signs of the man’s self-projection of power, ease and desirability.man’s self-projection of power, ease and desirability.

1.1. DistortedDistorted: city, the woman: city, the woman an ad and its an ad and its interpellation(interpellation( 召喚召喚 ) in disguise ) in disguise

2.2. Symptom RevealedSymptom Revealed: spectacle/image society; “The : spectacle/image society; “The TV is watching us.” TV is watching us.”

Page 7: From Structuralism to Post-Structuralism (Deconstruction) Constructions of Meanings and their Radical Uncertainty

Two More Examples for analysis: Two More Examples for analysis: gender & identitygender & identity

.. 國際國際VISAVISA組織組織-VISA-VISA在手盡其在我在手盡其在我--羅拉羅拉((完整完整))篇篇

1.1. Signs? Connotations? Distortion?Signs? Connotations? Distortion?

2.2. Is the woman all powerful?Is the woman all powerful?

Page 8: From Structuralism to Post-Structuralism (Deconstruction) Constructions of Meanings and their Radical Uncertainty

Two More Examples for analysis: gender & identity

.. 國際國際VISAVISA組織組織-VISA-VISA在手盡其在我在手盡其在我--羅拉羅拉((完整完整))篇篇1.1. Signs:Signs: frame within the frame frame within the frame1)1) of the Gothic: woman in a cape; old of the Gothic: woman in a cape; old

mansion/computer game parlor; a secret pass;mansion/computer game parlor; a secret pass;2)2) of electronic game -- virtual reality with a of electronic game -- virtual reality with a

woman presented in double;woman presented in double;3)3) sci-fi: strong woman in black tight-fit dress, sci-fi: strong woman in black tight-fit dress, 1.1. Is Is the womanthe woman all powerful? all powerful?

Apparently, the two women empower each other; Apparently, the two women empower each other; Actually, the visa card is power.Actually, the visa card is power.

2.2. DistortionDistortion: money = power; game = reality: money = power; game = reality3.3. Symptom Revealed:Symptom Revealed: everything is everything is

constructionconstruction, but the power of money and , but the power of money and electronic game is stronger than anything else. electronic game is stronger than anything else.

Page 9: From Structuralism to Post-Structuralism (Deconstruction) Constructions of Meanings and their Radical Uncertainty

PoststructuralismPoststructuralism

Keywords: constructionism floating signifier

-- a major theoretical school in the postmodern age which radicalizes structuralist views of language by seeing signified as signifier, and separating signs from ‘reality.’

-- in conflict with many other theoretical schools such as Marxism, Feminism and Postcolonialism, but also get to be combined with them;

-- the areas of its influences range from arts, politics to popular culture.

Page 10: From Structuralism to Post-Structuralism (Deconstruction) Constructions of Meanings and their Radical Uncertainty

PoststructuralismPoststructuralism Keywords: constructionism floating

signifier

Page 11: From Structuralism to Post-Structuralism (Deconstruction) Constructions of Meanings and their Radical Uncertainty

Poststructuralism: TheoryPoststructuralism: Theory

Major Questions 1. How does poststructuralism de-center

traditional authorities?2. Why is the author dead? Why is there

nothing outside the text? Why is reality ‘textual,’ and individual, ‘a product of social and linguistic forces. . . ‘a tissue of textualities” (64-65)?

3. Why is signifier ‘floating,’ meaning disseminated, and text, “an endless free play of meanings”(66)?

Page 12: From Structuralism to Post-Structuralism (Deconstruction) Constructions of Meanings and their Radical Uncertainty

(1) How does poststructuralism de-center traditional authorities?

the traditional the traditional centers or foundationscenters or foundations of our of our lives -- e.g. Truth, Humanity, Family, Nation, lives -- e.g. Truth, Humanity, Family, Nation, History, Reality, God, Creativity, History, Reality, God, Creativity, Author Author and and their stable meanings their stable meanings

Physical analogyPhysical analogy: the ground beneath our feet; : the ground beneath our feet; fixed landmark – with which we feel stability and fixed landmark – with which we feel stability and measure the other things;measure the other things;

With their views of With their views of language’s fluiditylanguage’s fluidity, all the , all the above fixed meanings are destabilized.above fixed meanings are destabilized.

Physical analogy:Physical analogy: our perception on a moving our perception on a moving train of another moving train//multiple signifying train of another moving train//multiple signifying chains intersecting with one anotherchains intersecting with one another textuality textuality

Page 13: From Structuralism to Post-Structuralism (Deconstruction) Constructions of Meanings and their Radical Uncertainty

(2) Why is the author dead?

Why is reality ‘textual,’ and individual, ‘a product of social and linguistic forces. . . ‘a tissue of textualities” (64-65)?

1. Self: No longer a unified self; in a system of relations with multiple Subject Positions

Our social existence is modeled after language as a system of relations (e.g. kinship; gender)

different languages (discourses) provide us with different subject positions. There are meanings in a text which its author is not aware of. polysemy; e.g. 吹皺一池春水

Page 14: From Structuralism to Post-Structuralism (Deconstruction) Constructions of Meanings and their Radical Uncertainty

(2) Why is the author dead?

Why is reality ‘textual,’ and individual, ‘a product of social and linguistic forces. . . ‘a tissue of textualities” (64-65)?

2. Text: From work, to text to (inter)textuality; “There is nothing outside of text” No fixed boundaries; no stable meanings;

e.g. Internet and the world of ads

Page 15: From Structuralism to Post-Structuralism (Deconstruction) Constructions of Meanings and their Radical Uncertainty

(2) Why is the author dead?

3. “The death of the author.” The birth of the Reader4. Readings of Meaning and Reality: 1) deconstruction – to read against the

grain; to find textual undecidability & 2) postmodern self-reflexivity –

everything is representation and in need of interpretation (more examples later)

Page 16: From Structuralism to Post-Structuralism (Deconstruction) Constructions of Meanings and their Radical Uncertainty

Q 3: -- Why is signifier ‘floating,’ meaning disseminated, and text, “an endless free play of meanings”(66)?

Note: metaphors of dandelion or seeds

Page 17: From Structuralism to Post-Structuralism (Deconstruction) Constructions of Meanings and their Radical Uncertainty

Which of the following Which of the following statements are not ambiguous?statements are not ambiguous?

I am 40 years old. I am 40 years old. The Republic of China was born on The Republic of China was born on

Oct. 10, 1911. Oct. 10, 1911. I love you till the end of the world. I love you till the end of the world. 多吃蔬菜﹐有益健康。多吃蔬菜﹐有益健康。 中國人生性刻苦耐勞。中國人生性刻苦耐勞。 你要做和事佬﹐真是吹縐一池春水。你要做和事佬﹐真是吹縐一池春水。 The experience of the earthquake The experience of the earthquake

yesterday was quite uncanny.yesterday was quite uncanny.

Page 18: From Structuralism to Post-Structuralism (Deconstruction) Constructions of Meanings and their Radical Uncertainty

Which of the following Which of the following statements are not ambiguous?statements are not ambiguous? I am 40 years old. Who is this “I”? The Republic of China was born on Oct.

10, 1911. born? I love you till the end of the world ( 現代啟示錄 can be a store name.) love? 多吃蔬菜﹐有益健康。 insecticide? Vegi

with blue cheese? 中國人生性刻苦耐勞。 中國人?

Page 19: From Structuralism to Post-Structuralism (Deconstruction) Constructions of Meanings and their Radical Uncertainty

Language/Literature as Language/Literature as an enclosed systeman enclosed system

Syntagmatic/Combination

(narrative structure:

roles + actions);

metonymy

Parad

igm

atic/Selectio

n:

Thematic structure: Motifs, mythemes, metaphors, etc.

Page 20: From Structuralism to Post-Structuralism (Deconstruction) Constructions of Meanings and their Radical Uncertainty

Polysemy caused by context Polysemy caused by context

Syntagmatic/Combination P

aradig

matic/S

election

: -中國人﹐華人Chinaman

-刻苦耐勞/現實/斤斤計較/不懂得人生樂趣

+ more stereotypical descriptions, or a father’s advice to his son, etc.

中國人生性刻苦耐勞。

Page 21: From Structuralism to Post-Structuralism (Deconstruction) Constructions of Meanings and their Radical Uncertainty

Why is language ambiguous? Why are meanings undecidable &

slippery? 1. Polysemy: Traces of other signs, other

meanings. (e.g. national “birthday”; 干卿底事)

2. Multiple Context; Reference Undecidable. (e.g. “The end of the world” )

3. Meaning is not “present” in language; it happens “in between” signifiers.

4. (intention and the unconscious)

Page 22: From Structuralism to Post-Structuralism (Deconstruction) Constructions of Meanings and their Radical Uncertainty

Multiple Context: 吹縐一池春水 謁金門 馮延巳謁金門 馮延巳風乍起,吹縐一池春水。風乍起,吹縐一池春水。閒引鴛鴦香徑 ,手挼紅杏蕊。�閒引鴛鴦香徑 ,手挼紅杏蕊。�鬥鴨闌干獨倚,碧玉搔頭斜墬。鬥鴨闌干獨倚,碧玉搔頭斜墬。終日望君君不至,舉頭聞鵲喜。終日望君君不至,舉頭聞鵲喜。

中主李璟中主李璟很欣賞很欣賞這首詞,便對馮延巳說:這首詞,便對馮延巳說:「吹皺「吹皺一池春水,干卿底事?」一池春水,干卿底事?」馮延巳答道:馮延巳答道:「怎及你「怎及你的細雨夢回雞塞遠,小樓吹徹玉笙寒呢?」的細雨夢回雞塞遠,小樓吹徹玉笙寒呢?」

(( http://203.198.70.29/subjecthttp://203.198.70.29/subject/chlt/tangci.htm/chlt/tangci.htm ﹚﹚

Male poet and Waiting woman.

Page 23: From Structuralism to Post-Structuralism (Deconstruction) Constructions of Meanings and their Radical Uncertainty

吹縐一池春水吹縐一池春水( random samples from Internet﹚

東元聲寶合併 東元聲寶合併 吹縐一池春水吹縐一池春水 . . 中時電子報 中時電子報 03:5903:59

免費下載音樂軟體是否侵犯智財免費下載音樂軟體是否侵犯智財權權 , , NAPSTERNAPSTER 吹縐一池春水吹縐一池春水 , , 受質疑受質疑 ..

她愛笑,笑得很野,有時不經意她愛笑,笑得很野,有時不經意的把眉輕鎖,落在河表哥心中,的把眉輕鎖,落在河表哥心中,就如就如吹縐一池春水吹縐一池春水 ((sourcesource))

Traces of other usages

Page 24: From Structuralism to Post-Structuralism (Deconstruction) Constructions of Meanings and their Radical Uncertainty

Derrida: Outline Derrida: Outline -- Jacque Derrida: 1. Prologue: Instability of Meaning

(discussed) 2. Writing as Différance 3. ‘Center’ as

Transcendental Signified and Binarism

4. Deconstruction: Literary Practice

Page 25: From Structuralism to Post-Structuralism (Deconstruction) Constructions of Meanings and their Radical Uncertainty

Language in movement (1) Language in movement (1) “Spacing”“Spacing”

Movement from one Signifier to Movement from one Signifier to anotheranother

-- -- Meaning changed when the context is further revealed.

Comic effects in 相聲 : old traces vs. newly defined meanings. (e.g. 政府官員,很持久 )

The traces of the old meanings are The traces of the old meanings are both present and absent.both present and absent.

Page 26: From Structuralism to Post-Structuralism (Deconstruction) Constructions of Meanings and their Radical Uncertainty

Writing and DifféranceWriting and DifféranceLanguage a system of difference Language a system of difference of of

Différance.Différance.

* * While structualists had treated binary While structualists had treated binary oppositions as oppositions as stable termsstable terms in a formal in a formal structure, Derrida sees them as structure, Derrida sees them as organized organized in unstable disequilibrium.in unstable disequilibrium. because of the presence/absence of because of the presence/absence of traces traces

* Derrida sees the * Derrida sees the signifiedsignified’s also in a ’s also in a relation of difference, and they are relation of difference, and they are turned into signifiersturned into signifiers floating floating signifiers. signifiers. (Textbook: chap 6: p. 123; 28)

Page 27: From Structuralism to Post-Structuralism (Deconstruction) Constructions of Meanings and their Radical Uncertainty

Writing and Différance (2)Writing and Différance (2)

Différance:Différance: To differ; To differ;

A sign is defined by its binary opposition A sign is defined by its binary opposition to another sign. to another sign.

2. To defer.2. To defer.

The signifier (black) that is distinguished The signifier (black) that is distinguished from the other one (white) is not from the other one (white) is not completely erased; it is only completely erased; it is only deferred, deferred, bracketed or merely “put under erasurebracketed or merely “put under erasure..”” It can subvert the fixed meaning of It can subvert the fixed meaning of the sign.the sign.

Page 28: From Structuralism to Post-Structuralism (Deconstruction) Constructions of Meanings and their Radical Uncertainty

Writing and DifféranceWriting and DifféranceThe chain of signification:The chain of signification:

(1) symbolization or mythologizing(1) symbolization or mythologizing

Signifier 1Signifier 1

((rose)rose)Signified Signified 11

((flower)flower)

Signified Signified 22

((love)love)

Signified Signified 22((rose=lovrose=love)e)

Signified 3(rose=woman in love)

Signified 4(rose = weak, vain & dependent woman in love)

Page 29: From Structuralism to Post-Structuralism (Deconstruction) Constructions of Meanings and their Radical Uncertainty

The other Americans

Other Skin colors Other Racial Features What they did

Writing and Différance: chain of Writing and Différance: chain of signification (1)signification (1)

1.1. Signifier Signifier Signified 2 Signified 3 Signified 2 Signified 3

Asian People Yellow Exotic (Evil or Weak)

White Americans WhiteInnocent, Strong

and Civilized

White Man’s Burden

Manifest Destiny

God

Page 30: From Structuralism to Post-Structuralism (Deconstruction) Constructions of Meanings and their Radical Uncertainty

Writing and Différance: Chain of Writing and Différance: Chain of Signification (2)Signification (2)

Re-contextualization; traces kept. e.g.

1. Pharmakon: 1). poison, 2). Pharmacy

2. 〈幌馬車之歌〉 ;吹皺一池春水

Page 31: From Structuralism to Post-Structuralism (Deconstruction) Constructions of Meanings and their Radical Uncertainty

QuestionsQuestions

Do you agree that meaning is always uncertain Do you agree that meaning is always uncertain and slippery? What does Derrida’s views of and slippery? What does Derrida’s views of language shed light on our communication? language shed light on our communication?

What is wrong with binarism(either . . . or), What is wrong with binarism(either . . . or), which structuralism sees as basic to our which structuralism sees as basic to our thinking?thinking?

Why are poststructuralist views of reality Why are poststructuralist views of reality radical or de-stablising? Are they then radical or de-stablising? Are they then destructive? destructive?

Page 32: From Structuralism to Post-Structuralism (Deconstruction) Constructions of Meanings and their Radical Uncertainty

The Transcendental SignifiedThe Transcendental Signified

1.1. (Textbook: p. 124)(Textbook: p. 124) transcendental transcendental signified: signified: source of meaning and center of existence; foundations; the ; foundations; the external point of reference, whose external point of reference, whose definition should not be changed, definition should not be changed, should not be relational. should not be relational.

2.2. The “unmoved mover” e.g. The “unmoved mover” e.g.

God (transcendental signified) God (transcendental signified)

The Bible (transcendental signifier)The Bible (transcendental signifier)

Page 33: From Structuralism to Post-Structuralism (Deconstruction) Constructions of Meanings and their Radical Uncertainty

The Transcendental Signified The Transcendental Signified and Binaries and Binaries

They are the upper terms in hierarchical They are the upper terms in hierarchical binaries: e.g. binaries: e.g.

ManMan LightLight ReasonReason CultureCulture The The Public;Public;

West, West, etc.etc.

WomanWoman Dark-Dark-nessness

EmotioEmotionn

NatureNature The The PrivatePrivate; ;

East, East, etc.etc.

Page 34: From Structuralism to Post-Structuralism (Deconstruction) Constructions of Meanings and their Radical Uncertainty

Critique of Metaphysics: Critique of Metaphysics: logocentrism, & phallogocentrismlogocentrism, & phallogocentrism

Traditional binaries are Traditional binaries are hierarchical.hierarchical. Should be reversed or questioned.Should be reversed or questioned.

Logocentrism: Logo as center, Logocentrism: Logo as center, source, or founding presence of source, or founding presence of knowledge and human beings. knowledge and human beings.

Phallogocentrism: the hierarchy of Phallogocentrism: the hierarchy of Man/Woman= sun/moon, Man/Woman= sun/moon, reason/emotion, Subject/Object, etc.reason/emotion, Subject/Object, etc.

Page 35: From Structuralism to Post-Structuralism (Deconstruction) Constructions of Meanings and their Radical Uncertainty

Ways of Questioning the Ways of Questioning the Hierarchical BinariesHierarchical Binaries

1.1. The two termsThe two terms are actually are actually mutually determinant. e.g. The mutually determinant. e.g. The West has to define itself by West has to define itself by having/rejecting an “Other” having/rejecting an “Other” which is different. which is different.

2. 2. The weak term is not really weak.The weak term is not really weak.

3. Mutually implicated: One term 3. Mutually implicated: One term implies its opposite term. implies its opposite term.

Page 36: From Structuralism to Post-Structuralism (Deconstruction) Constructions of Meanings and their Radical Uncertainty

Deconstruction: practicesDeconstruction: practices

1.1. Open texts Open texts A text that deconstructs A text that deconstructs its own unity or “author.” its own unity or “author.” (contemporary self-reflexive texts)(contemporary self-reflexive texts)

2.2. Reverse the text’s Reverse the text’s binariesbinaries or expose its or expose its undecidability or multiple meanings undecidability or multiple meanings

3.3. Study Study the process of signification of a the process of signification of a sign or a textsign or a text and find out what it tries and find out what it tries to erase. to erase. (e.g. (e.g. Scarlet LetterScarlet Letter; Barthesian ; Barthesian studies of commercials)studies of commercials)

(textbook p. 131)

Page 37: From Structuralism to Post-Structuralism (Deconstruction) Constructions of Meanings and their Radical Uncertainty

Deconstruction: practices (2)Deconstruction: practices (2)

4. Find where the text differs from 4. Find where the text differs from itself. itself. (critical difference)(critical difference) ambiguity and undecidabilityambiguity and undecidability

5. Radical contextualization 5. Radical contextualization to find to find out its intertextual references and out its intertextual references and thus undecidability of meanings.thus undecidability of meanings.

Page 38: From Structuralism to Post-Structuralism (Deconstruction) Constructions of Meanings and their Radical Uncertainty

Deconstruction: example (1)Deconstruction: example (1)process of significationprocess of signification

Wordsworth’s poems:Wordsworth’s poems:

““I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud”; I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud”; I = cloud ([Dorothy]) + daffodils daffodils

dancing ([daffodils weary]) dancing ([daffodils weary]) Daffodils = milky way ([real Daffodils = milky way ([real

flowers]) flowers]) I saw I saw Daffofils in glee ([the waves]) Daffofils in glee ([the waves]) I I

recollect them in my mind’s eye recollect them in my mind’s eye =bliss of solitude ([the actual =bliss of solitude ([the actual experience]). experience]).

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Deconstruction of Deconstruction of Binary Opposition: Example (2)Binary Opposition: Example (2)““Ode on Melancholy” Ode on Melancholy” Binaries: Binaries: 1.1. No to activeNo to active pursuits of sleep or suicide ( pursuits of sleep or suicide (

drowns the soul, turns it drowns the soul, turns it passivepassive); ); 2.2. Savor the contraries and transience in life; Savor the contraries and transience in life; 3.3. 1. “She” (1. “She” (activeactive) dominates where all the ) dominates where all the

senses are quickened; you senses are quickened; you He ‘burst’ joy’s grape against his palate; ‘hung’ He ‘burst’ joy’s grape against his palate; ‘hung’

as one of his trophies (as one of his trophies (passivepassive) ) When senses are active, the poet seems When senses are active, the poet seems

powerless and passive. powerless and passive.

Page 40: From Structuralism to Post-Structuralism (Deconstruction) Constructions of Meanings and their Radical Uncertainty

Undecidability: example 3Undecidability: example 3

““Refusal To Mourn The Death, By

Fire, Of A Child In London”1. Verbal -- paradoxes; 2. Textual – no fixed context in this

poem; 3. Linguistic (contextual) – against

‘a grave truth’ (or all the received ways of mourning) but then the poem still uses its rhetoric

Page 41: From Structuralism to Post-Structuralism (Deconstruction) Constructions of Meanings and their Radical Uncertainty

Undecidability: example 4Undecidability: example 4A slumber did my spirit seal; A slumber did my spirit seal;

I had no human fears:I had no human fears:

She seemed a thing that could not feelShe seemed a thing that could not feel

The touch of earthly years. The touch of earthly years.

  <Gap><Gap>

No motion has she now, no force;No motion has she now, no force;

She neither hears nor sees;She neither hears nor sees;

Rolled round in earth's diurnal course,Rolled round in earth's diurnal course,

With rocks, and stones, and trees.With rocks, and stones, and trees.

(William Wordsworth )(William Wordsworth )

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Undecidability: example 4Undecidability: example 4

past past

lifelife

the human the human

fear fear

present present

death death

the cosmicthe cosmic

peacefulness and peacefulness and regularityregularity

“A slumber did my spirit seal” -- Contradictions between

Gap: What happened in between the present and the past?

Whose peacefulness is it? Whose death and when?

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Derridian Deconstruction Derridian Deconstruction in Contextin Context

1. Anti-Foundationalist & de-centering; 1. Anti-Foundationalist & de-centering; 2. Like New Critics, deconstructionists read 2. Like New Critics, deconstructionists read

closely to find out the contradictions and closely to find out the contradictions and gaps in a text, but without reconstructing gaps in a text, but without reconstructing them back to a unity. them back to a unity.

3. Other usages of “différance”: desired 3. Other usages of “différance”: desired object in unattainable, constantly object in unattainable, constantly deferred and replaced; colonial deferred and replaced; colonial mimicry disseminate/de-center mimicry disseminate/de-center colonial authority.colonial authority.

4. 4. “différance” and temporary closure.“différance” and temporary closure.

Page 44: From Structuralism to Post-Structuralism (Deconstruction) Constructions of Meanings and their Radical Uncertainty

Self-Conscious Texts in Self-Conscious Texts in Contemporary Popular CultureContemporary Popular Culture

Challenge the author e.g. Icicle Thief; Challenge the author e.g. Icicle Thief; Truman Show; Truman Show;

Exposing the (TV) frames: “Money for Exposing the (TV) frames: “Money for Nothing” (Dire Strait); Ferris Beuler’s Nothing” (Dire Strait); Ferris Beuler’s Day Off (1, 2); MTV channel’s Day Off (1, 2); MTV channel’s commercial commercial

Reality and illusion: Vanilla Sky, Reality and illusion: Vanilla Sky, Mulholland DriveMulholland Drive

Parody: Moulin Rouge, Parody: Moulin Rouge, 全民亂講 全民亂講

Page 45: From Structuralism to Post-Structuralism (Deconstruction) Constructions of Meanings and their Radical Uncertainty

AssignmentsAssignments

1.1. ""The Blind Man" The Blind Man"

2. Chap 6 (123-33)2. Chap 6 (123-33)

3. Into the Woods3. Into the Woods