Structuralism and Semiotics: WTF? Saussure, Lévi-Strauss, Barthes and Structuralism Explained

Summary

In this episode of 'What The, Theory?', Tom explores Structuralism, a cultural analysis approach that uncovers the hidden structures beneath various cultural forms like literature and film. Drawing inspiration from linguistics, particularly Ferdinand de Saussure's work, Structuralism views culture as a language with its own system of meaning. Tom discusses the two main approaches: 'low structuralism', which uncovers narrative structures like in Vladimir Propp's work, and 'high structuralism', which examines how texts derive meaning from cultural context, as seen in Roland Barthes' analyses. The video provides an accessible introduction to understanding Structuralism and its applications in cultural criticism.

Takeaways

• 🌐 **Structuralism Overview**: Structuralism is a cultural analysis approach that uncovers underlying structures influencing the creation and interpretation of cultural texts like literature and film.
• 📚 **Cultural Texts as Language**: Structuralism views culture as a language, suggesting that cultural texts are not isolated but interconnected through shared structures and conventions.
• 🎭 **Genre as a Structuralist Lens**: The concept of genre exemplifies structuralist thinking by analyzing how different cultural texts relate and conform to specific narrative structures and tropes.
• 📈 **Origins in Linguistics**: Structuralism's roots lie in the linguistic theories of Ferdinand de Saussure, who emphasized the synchronic study of language and the arbitrary nature of linguistic signs.
• 🔍 **The Role of 'Parole' and 'Langue'**: Saussure's distinction between 'parole' (individual utterances) and 'langue' (the broader linguistic system) is central to understanding how meaning is derived from cultural texts.
• 🔑 **Low Structuralism and Poetics**: Low structuralism, exemplified by Vladimir Propp's work, seeks a 'grammar' of storytelling by identifying recurring plot functions across different narratives.
• 🏛️ **High Structuralism and Semantics**: High structuralism, influenced by linguistic semantics, examines how cultural texts derive meaning from their relationships with broader cultural contexts and prevailing ideologies.
• 🗝️ **Cultural Codes and Textual Meaning**: Roland Barthes introduced the concept of 'cultural codes', arguing that texts rely on widely accepted societal knowledge or values to convey meaning.
• 🌟 **Barthes' Analysis of Myths**: Barthes' analysis of myths and cultural images reveals how their meanings are constructed by and reflective of the societal structures and power dynamics of their time.
• 🔄 **Structuralism and Poststructuralism**: Structuralism's reluctance to question the existence of societal structures led to the emergence of poststructuralism, which critically examines these structures and their implications.

Q & A

What is Structuralism in cultural studies?

Structuralism is an approach to analyzing culture that seeks to reveal the underlying structures which influence the creation and interpretation of cultural texts such as literature, film, and television.

How does Structuralism relate to the concept of genre?

Structuralism views genre as a cultural structure that sets expectations and influences how we interpret cultural texts. It suggests that our understanding of a text like 'Game of Thrones' is informed by our knowledge of the fantasy genre.

Who is Ferdinand de Saussure and how does his work relate to Structuralism?

Ferdinand de Saussure was a 19th-century linguist who revolutionized the study of language with his 'synchronic' approach, focusing on how language functions at a specific point in time rather than its historical evolution. His ideas on the arbitrary nature of language and the importance of relationships and differences between linguistic elements are foundational to Structuralism.

What is the difference between 'parole' and 'langue' in Saussure's theory?

'Parole' refers to individual instances of speech or writing, while 'langue' is the broader linguistic system that gives meaning to 'parole'. Saussure argued that 'parole' only holds meaning due to its relationship and differences with other elements within 'langue'.

How does the concept of 'high structuralism' differ from 'low structuralism'?

'High structuralism' is more concerned with the grand conclusions about how cultural texts infer meaning, often considering the broader cultural context. 'Low structuralism', on the other hand, focuses on more immediate and practical analysis of cultural texts, often looking for underlying structural patterns or 'grammar' within narratives.

What is the contribution of Vladimir Propp to Structuralism?

Vladimir Propp is known for identifying 31 'plot functions' in folktales that serve as stable, constant elements independent of how and by whom they are fulfilled. His work provided a structuralist 'grammar' for analyzing human storytelling.

How does Claude Lévi-Strauss's approach to myth reflect Structuralism?

Claude Lévi-Strauss's approach to myth involves breaking down myths into their constituent parts and analyzing the thematic positions within them. He suggests that myths can reveal the 'structure of thought' of the societies that created them, reflecting the broader cultural structures.

What role do cultural codes play in Roland Barthes's analysis of cultural texts?

Roland Barthes believed that the meaning inferred by texts is not self-contained but reliant on context or 'cultural codes'. These codes are widely accepted knowledge or values that a text can use to invoke certain meanings, showing how individual texts are influenced by the broader culture.

How does Barthes's analysis of a Paris Match cover image demonstrate the influence of cultural codes?

Barthes's analysis of a Paris Match cover image shows how the image's meaning is influenced by cultural codes related to race, colonialism, and national identity. The image of a black man saluting the French flag is interpreted as a statement about French imperialism and colonialism, demonstrating how cultural codes shape our interpretation of cultural texts.

What is the significance of Structuralism in understanding the relationship between language and culture?

Structuralism emphasizes that both language and cultural texts are not direct reflections of the world but are shaped by underlying structures. This approach suggests that these structures influence how we perceive and understand the world, raising questions about the origins and implications of these structures.