Post-structuralism and Deconstruction

Summary

This presentation delves into post-structuralism and deconstruction as explored in Peter Barry's 'Beginning Theory'. It begins by reviewing structuralism, highlighting key ideas such as the arbitrary relationship between signifiers and signifieds, and the relational nature of meaning. Post-structuralism, in contrast, critiques structuralism’s limitations and advocates for the de-centering of the universe and the destabilization of meaning. The presentation also touches on influential critics like Roland Barthes and Jacques Derrida, explaining how their works challenge traditional interpretations. Ultimately, the focus is on how post-structuralist analysis deconstructs texts by revealing contradictions, paradoxes, and language's inherent instability.

Takeaways

• 😀 Structuralism revolutionized language study by focusing on how language works as a system of signifiers and signified, with no inherent connection between the two.
• 😀 The meaning of words in structuralism is relational, defined by their differences with other words, such as 'shed' being smaller than 'house' in terms of size.
• 😀 Language, in structuralism, is seen as constituting reality rather than merely reflecting it, as seen in how labels like 'terrorist' or 'freedom fighter' shape our understanding of actions.
• 😀 Post-structuralism arose as a reaction to structuralism's inability to explain how language shapes reality, leading to a universe of uncertainty and anxiety due to the loss of fixed meanings.
• 😀 Post-structuralists argue that the decentering of the universe, due to language not reflecting reality, causes anxiety and a loss of stable knowledge.
• 😀 The key differences between structuralism and post-structuralism include their origins (scientific vs. philosophical), tone (abstract vs. emotive), and focus (ordered system vs. fluid language).
• 😀 Structuralism aims to break free of old habits and build new ones, while post-structuralism distrusts all habitual reasoning and the very idea of 'sense.'
• 😀 Roland Barthes' idea of the 'death of the author' shifts the focus to the reader, allowing for endless reinterpretation of texts independent of authorial intent.
• 😀 Jacques Derrida’s concept of 'deconstruction' emphasizes how language fails to provide stable meaning, requiring a focus on contradictions, paradoxes, and shifts in the text.
• 😀 A deconstructive reading focuses on contradictions within the text, shifts in continuity, and the inherent failures of language to fully convey meaning, as demonstrated by analyzing Dylan Thomas’s poem.

Q & A

What is the primary focus of the presentation in the script?

The presentation focuses on post-structuralism and deconstruction as introduced in Peter Barry's book *Beginning Theory*, with an overview of structuralism and its relationship to post-structuralism.

What is structuralism, and who is its key proponent?

Structuralism is a field that studies how language works as a system of signs, focusing on the relationship between signifiers (words) and signified (concepts). Its key proponent is Ferdinand de Saussure.

What is meant by the relationship between signifiers and signified being arbitrary?

The relationship between signifiers (words) and signified (concepts) is arbitrary because different languages use different signifiers to represent the same concept. For example, the word 'tree' in English, 'arbre' in French, and 'shajara' in Arabic all refer to the same concept, 'tree'.

How does structuralism view the meaning of words?

Structuralism views the meaning of words as relational. The meaning of a word is determined by its difference from other words. For instance, 'shed' is understood in relation to 'house', 'mansion', or 'castle' based on size.

What is the main criticism that post-structuralism has against structuralism?

Post-structuralism criticizes structuralism for failing to follow through on its argument that language shapes reality rather than reflecting it. This leads to a universe of uncertainty where meaning becomes unstable and anxiety-inducing.

What are some key differences between structuralism and post-structuralism?

Structuralism originates from a scientific approach, seeks order in language, and aims to break free from habitual patterns. Post-structuralism, on the other hand, originates from philosophy, emphasizes the fluidity and disorder of language, and challenges the idea of reason or fixed meaning.

How does Roland Barthes contribute to post-structuralism?

Roland Barthes, in his work *The Death of the Author*, argues that the author's intentions and context no longer matter in the interpretation of a text. He introduces the idea that the reader, rather than the author, creates meaning, which allows for the endless play of interpretations.

What is Jacques Derrida's contribution to post-structuralism?

Jacques Derrida's major contribution is the concept of deconstruction. In works like *Structure, Sign, and Play*, he discusses the decentering of our intellectual universe and the deconstruction of texts, where meaning is not fixed but constantly shifting. His famous phrase 'There is nothing outside the text' challenges the idea of an absolute external meaning.

What is the main objective of deconstruction according to Derrida?

The main objective of deconstruction is to read texts against their surface meanings, focusing on contradictions, ambiguities, and the failure of language to fully capture meaning. It highlights the disunity and instability within texts.

What is the role of a post-structuralist critic in analyzing literature?

A post-structuralist critic looks for breaks, contradictions, and discontinuities in a text, interpreting it in a way that challenges its intended meaning. This approach de-centers the work and focuses on how language does not fully define or fix meaning.