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Structuralism and Structuralism and Post Structuralism Post Structuralism A Level Media A Level Media

Structuralism and Post Structuralism

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Page 1: Structuralism and Post Structuralism

Structuralism and Post Structuralism and Post StructuralismStructuralism

A Level MediaA Level Media

Page 2: Structuralism and Post Structuralism

RecapRecap

Semiotics is…Semiotics is…

Saussure is…Saussure is…

The difference between the signifier and The difference between the signifier and signified is…signified is…

Page 3: Structuralism and Post Structuralism

StructuralismStructuralism Language relies on a shared understanding of Language relies on a shared understanding of

‘rules’.‘rules’. Linguists study the Linguists study the structuresstructures of language. of language. In media texts, structuralists would claim to work In media texts, structuralists would claim to work

out the out the deep structuresdeep structures being employed. being employed.

Eg. In a film genre structuralists would work out Eg. In a film genre structuralists would work out deep structures that give meaning to the text.deep structures that give meaning to the text.

Neither the film maker or audience would Neither the film maker or audience would necessarily be aware of these structures.necessarily be aware of these structures.

Page 4: Structuralism and Post Structuralism

NarrativeNarrative Structuralists have investigated narrative Structuralists have investigated narrative

using versions of using versions of binary oppositionsbinary oppositions (proposed by Strauss).(proposed by Strauss).

They suggest all story telling has deep They suggest all story telling has deep structures.structures.

Good/Evil Culture/Nature Man/WomanGood/Evil Culture/Nature Man/Woman A structuralist analysis of a media text will A structuralist analysis of a media text will

look at how tensions between these look at how tensions between these oppositions are introduced and resolved.oppositions are introduced and resolved.

Page 5: Structuralism and Post Structuralism

Structuralist AnalysisStructuralist Analysis For example…For example… Titanic (1997)Titanic (1997) The narrative of Titanic works partly by The narrative of Titanic works partly by

differences such as upper deck/lower differences such as upper deck/lower deck, upper class/lower class, deck, upper class/lower class, American/European.American/European.

We understand these oppositions through We understand these oppositions through signifiers of music, dress, colour, type of signifiers of music, dress, colour, type of character etc.character etc.

Page 6: Structuralism and Post Structuralism

Narrative StructuresNarrative Structures

Vladimir ProppVladimir Propp Tzvetan TodorovTzvetan Todorov

The idea is that the surface structure of The idea is that the surface structure of drama has a deeper underlying resonance drama has a deeper underlying resonance which helps give the audience which helps give the audience reinforcement of our culture’s rules and reinforcement of our culture’s rules and expectations.expectations.

Page 7: Structuralism and Post Structuralism

Media AnalysisMedia Analysis Structuralism has informed the approach to Structuralism has informed the approach to

media analysis through…media analysis through…

1) 1) NarrativeNarrative We have stock characters in soap operas (the We have stock characters in soap operas (the

gossip, the ‘bad’ boy, the loveable rogue etc )gossip, the ‘bad’ boy, the loveable rogue etc )

2) 2) GenreGenre Texts can be categorised according to Texts can be categorised according to

characteristics they have in common.characteristics they have in common.

Page 8: Structuralism and Post Structuralism

Post StructuralismPost Structuralism Post Structuralists…Post Structuralists…

Do NOT accept the basic idea of deep Do NOT accept the basic idea of deep structures.structures.

Wonder what the point is in searching for Wonder what the point is in searching for meaning.meaning.

Point out we cannot be sure meaning exists in Point out we cannot be sure meaning exists in the first place.the first place.

Put emphasis on the interpretation of texts Put emphasis on the interpretation of texts rather than the production.rather than the production.

Page 9: Structuralism and Post Structuralism

Deconstruction Deconstruction

The analytical technique used by post The analytical technique used by post structuralists is called structuralists is called deconstructiondeconstruction..

The intention is NOT to discover what the The intention is NOT to discover what the real meaning of a text.real meaning of a text.

Deconstruction involves… Deconstruction involves… a consideration of what’s missinga consideration of what’s missing foregroundingforegrounding

Page 10: Structuralism and Post Structuralism

DeconstructionDeconstruction Eg. A deconstruction of a magazine Eg. A deconstruction of a magazine

advertisement would include a discussion advertisement would include a discussion on the types of people who are missing on the types of people who are missing from the images.from the images.

Absences and gaps help reveal what the Absences and gaps help reveal what the text is privileging.text is privileging.

Eg.Eg. West over EastWest over EastMan over WomanMan over WomanScience over NatureScience over Nature

Page 11: Structuralism and Post Structuralism

AudienceAudience Post structuralists argue that…Post structuralists argue that…

Without an audience, a text has no meaning.Without an audience, a text has no meaning. To suggest there is meaning in a text before it is seen by To suggest there is meaning in a text before it is seen by

an audience is ridiculous.an audience is ridiculous. The text has the meaning that the audience chooses to The text has the meaning that the audience chooses to

give it.give it. This places the audience in a very powerful position.This places the audience in a very powerful position. They are no longer passive receivers of meaning that They are no longer passive receivers of meaning that

has been determined by a producer.has been determined by a producer.

Page 12: Structuralism and Post Structuralism

Recap Recap

StructuralismStructuralism The search for deep The search for deep

structures that are structures that are universal to all cultures.universal to all cultures.

Once we have discovered Once we have discovered the underlying the underlying characteristics of a text, characteristics of a text, we can open it up to we can open it up to discover its meaning.discover its meaning.

Determines HOW texts Determines HOW texts produce meaning.produce meaning.

Post structuralismPost structuralism Meaning in a text is Meaning in a text is

uncertain and unreliable.uncertain and unreliable. Texts should be analysed Texts should be analysed

through deconstruction – through deconstruction – look at what is look at what is missing/been omitted.missing/been omitted.

Without an audience a Without an audience a text has no meaning.text has no meaning.

Page 13: Structuralism and Post Structuralism

ActivityActivity

Watch the episode from Sex and the City Watch the episode from Sex and the City entitled ‘Where There’s Smoke’.entitled ‘Where There’s Smoke’.

Looking at the text from a Looking at the text from a structuraliststructuralist view, answer the questions on your view, answer the questions on your worksheet.worksheet.