STRUCTURALISM (Literary Criticism - History, Proponents, Basic Tenets, Application) || Kheneth Avila

Summary

This script delves into the structuralist movement, highlighting its origins in the work of Ferdinand de Saussure and its development in 1950s France. It emphasizes the importance of understanding the underlying structures and patterns in language, culture, and literature to interpret surface meanings. Key concepts like the arbitrariness of language, binary opposition, and the relational nature of concepts are explored. The script also discusses how structuralism views language as constitutive, shaping our perception of the world, and provides examples of applying structuralist analysis to literary works and myths.

Takeaways

• 🌐 Structuralism originated in the 1950s in France, with key figures like Claude Lévi-Strauss and Roland Barthes, and its roots trace back to Ferdinand de Saussure's work on linguistics.
• 🔍 Structuralism is a theory that emphasizes the underlying structures and patterns in culture, literature, and language, rather than just the surface meaning of a text or idea.
• 🌱 The theory suggests that to fully understand something, one must examine its deeper structure and the common system of patterns involved.
• 🌱 To understand a concept, one must look at the bigger structure it is part of, much like understanding a leaf requires studying the whole tree.
• 🗣️ Language is central to structuralism, with Saussure's idea that language is a system of signs, composed of a signifier (the word or sound) and a signified (the mental concept).
• 🌐 Structuralism posits that language is arbitrary, meaning there is no inherent reason why a word has a specific meaning; it's a product of human agreement and labeling.
• 🔗 Structuralism views language as relational, where concepts are understood in relation to others, such as binary oppositions (good/evil, night/day) and paradigmatic chains (hut/house/mansion/palace).
• 🏛️ The theory is applied to literary criticism by analyzing the underlying structures of texts, such as the rhyme scheme in a sonnet or the common patterns in fairy tales.
• 🌟 Structuralism also considers the role of culture, where different cultural codes and conventions can lead to different perceptions and understandings of the same concept.
• 📚 The theory provides a method for analyzing and interpreting texts by looking at their larger systems, genres, and the underlying patterns that govern them.

Q & A

What is structuralism and when did it begin?

Structuralism is a movement that began in the 1950s in France, focusing on the underlying structures and patterns in culture, literature, and language to interpret surface meanings.

Who are the major proponents of structuralism?

Claude Lévi-Strauss, known for his structural study of myth, and Roland Barthes are among the major proponents of structuralism.

What is the relationship between structuralism and the work of Ferdinand de Saussure?

Ferdinand de Saussure is considered the father of structuralism, particularly in linguistics, and his theories laid the groundwork for the development of structuralism.

How does structuralism view language?

Structuralism views language as a complex system of signs, where words (signifiers) are related to concepts (signifieds), and meaning is constructed through this relationship.

What is the concept of the signifier and signified in structuralism?

In structuralism, the signifier is the physical word or sound, while the signified is the mental concept it represents. The connection between them is arbitrary and culturally defined.

Why does structuralism emphasize understanding concepts through their larger structures?

Structuralism emphasizes understanding concepts through their larger structures because it believes that the true meaning of something lies in its underlying patterns and systems, not just its surface appearance.

What is the role of binary opposition in structuralism?

Binary opposition in structuralism is a system where concepts are defined in relation to their opposites, such as good and evil or night and day. It suggests that concepts cannot exist in isolation but are understood in relation to each other.

How does the concept of 'paradigmatic chain' contribute to structuralism?

The paradigmatic chain in structuralism is a way of organizing thoughts and concepts in relation to each other, allowing for the understanding of one concept through its relation to others within a system.

What does it mean for language to be 'constitutive' in the context of structuralism?

In structuralism, language being 'constitutive' means that it shapes and defines our perception of the world. It is not just a reflection of reality but actively constructs our understanding of it.

How can structuralism be applied to analyze literary pieces?

Structuralism can be applied to literary analysis by examining the underlying structures, patterns, and systems within a text, rather than focusing solely on the surface narrative or theme.

What is the significance of the concepts of 'langue' and 'parole' in structuralism?

In structuralism, 'langue' refers to the overarching system of language, while 'parole' refers to individual utterances or expressions. Understanding 'langue' is essential for interpreting 'parole' within a cultural or linguistic context.