Structuralism
Summary
TLDRThis presentation delves into structuralism, a theory that views language and culture as systems with underlying orders. Pioneered by Ferdinand de Saussure, it expanded into various fields, notably influenced by Roman Jakobson and Claude Lévi-Strauss. Structuralism's key concepts include the linguistic sign and the importance of narrative structures. The theory is applied to analyze Shakespeare's 'King Lear' and Fitzgerald's 'The Great Gatsby,' revealing how cultural signs and societal norms influence the works' meanings and characters.
Takeaways
- 📚 Structuralism is a theoretical approach that originated from Ferdinand de Saussure's work, viewing language as a system with an implied order.
- 🌐 This approach expanded beyond linguistics to influence fields like anthropology, philosophy, and cultural studies.
- 🗣️ Roman Jakobson, a key figure in formalism, contributed to French structuralism by focusing on the internal systems governing various phenomena.
- 👨🏫 Claude Lévi-Strauss applied structuralism to anthropology, interpreting culture as a system with an internal order that maintains stability and coherence.
- 🌲 Lévi-Strauss emphasized the role of kinship systems and marriages as a form of communication that helps resolve societal conflicts.
- 🎭 He also analyzed myths, revealing common underlying structures that serve to resolve cultural contradictions.
- 🔠 Saussure introduced the concept of the linguistic sign, which consists of a signifier (sound) and a signified (concept), forming the sign itself.
- 🔍 Roland Barthes further explored semiotics, examining how cultural elements derive meaning through their association with specific signs.
- 📚 The script provides a structural reading of 'King Lear' and 'The Great Gatsby', demonstrating how structuralism can be applied to literature.
- 🏰 In 'King Lear', structuralism helps to understand the play's events and characters as signs within the societal codes of 1606 England.
- 🏙️ 'The Great Gatsby' is analyzed through the lens of structuralism to reveal the novel's symbols and signs that reflect the moral decline and social class distinctions of 1920s America.
Q & A
What is structuralism and where did it originate?
-Structuralism is a theoretical approach that views language and culture as systems characterized by internal order. It originated from the pioneering work of Ferdinand de Saussure, who viewed language as a system with an implied order.
How did Roman Jakobson contribute to the development of French structuralism?
-Roman Jakobson, an influential formalist, played a key role in shaping French structuralism by focusing on understanding the internal systems and orders that govern linguistic, cultural, and literary phenomena.
What was Claude Lévi-Strauss's approach to applying structuralism to anthropology?
-Claude Lévi-Strauss applied structuralism to anthropology by perceiving culture as a system with internal order that maintains stability and coherence while allowing cultural evolution. He emphasized kinship systems and marriages as forms of communication and analyzed myths for their common underlying structure.
What is the concept of the linguistic sign according to Saussure?
-According to Saussure, the linguistic sign consists of a signifier (the sound itself) and a signified (the idea or concept behind it). The combination of the signifier and signified composes the sign itself.
How did Roland Barthes explore the study of signs or semiotics in literature and culture?
-Roland Barthes examined how various cultural elements, such as films, commodities, events, and images, derive meaning through their association with specific signs. He analyzed the ways in which signs function to create meaning in different contexts.
What is the significance of the missing center in Henry James's Tales according to Tzvetan Todorov?
-Tzvetan Todorov's work highlighted narrative structures, such as the presence of the missing center in Henry James's Tales, which serves as a common organizing element among diverse examples.
How did structuralism become the dominant intellectual school in France during the mid-1960s?
-Structuralism became the dominant intellectual school in France during the mid-1960s with notable figures like Michel Foucault, Jacques Lacan, Julia Kristeva, and others contributing to its influence.
What is the role of language and conceptual frameworks in the formations of discourses according to Michel Foucault?
-Michel Foucault explored the role of language and conceptual frameworks in the formations of discourses, emphasizing how changes in knowledge and language throughout history shape our understanding and construction of the world.
How does the opening scene of Shakespeare's King Lear reflect the societal codes of 1606 England?
-The opening scene of King Lear, where the king divides his kingdom among his daughters, reflects the societal codes of 1606 England by questioning the king's judgment and trustworthiness, which was significant in a monarchy where the king's support stemmed from the aristocracy.
What does the billboard of Dr. T.J. Eckleburg in The Great Gatsby symbolize?
-The billboard of Dr. T.J. Eckleburg in The Great Gatsby symbolizes the abandonment of the once dominant Protestant moral government by the wealthy elite who now dominate the America of the 1920s.
How does The Great Gatsby's narrative structure use paired scenes to shed light on characters and themes?
-The Great Gatsby uses paired scenes, such as the contrasting hotel scenes with Tom's affair and Gatsby's interaction with Daisy, to expose the hypocrisy, immorality, and brutality of Tom and Daisy's world, while also exploring the novel's themes more positively through the relationship between Nick and Gatsby.
Outlines
📚 Introduction to Structuralism
This paragraph introduces structuralism, a theory that originated from the work of Ferdinand de Saussure. It emphasizes the idea of language as a system with an underlying order, akin to looking beneath the surface of a leaf. Structuralism's influence has spread to various fields including anthropology, philosophy, and literature. Key figures like Roman Jakobson and Claude Lévi-Strauss are highlighted for their contributions to the theory, with Jakobson focusing on the internal systems governing language and culture, and Lévi-Strauss applying structuralism to anthropology to understand cultural stability and evolution. The concept of the linguistic sign, as introduced by Saussure, and the role of signs in creating meaning, as explored by Roland Barthes, are also discussed. The paragraph sets the stage for understanding structuralism's impact on the analysis of cultural phenomena.
🎭 Structural Reading of 'King Lear' and 'The Great Gatsby'
The second paragraph applies structuralism to the analysis of Shakespeare's 'King Lear' and Fitzgerald's 'The Great Gatsby'. It discusses how 'King Lear' can be read as a collection of signs with meanings rooted in the play's structure and the societal context of 1606 England. The opening scene of 'King Lear' is analyzed in terms of its significance within the play and the cultural norms of the time, such as the act of a king dividing his kingdom being perceived as madness. The paragraph also touches on the narrative structures and character symbolism within 'King Lear', and contrasts this with the use of signs and symbols in 'The Great Gatsby' to capture the essence of the 1920s American society. The billboard of Dr. T.J. Eckleburg is highlighted as a symbol of the moral oversight that has been abandoned by the wealthy elite of the era.
🔍 Deep Dive into 'The Great Gatsby' and Structuralism's Impact
The final paragraph delves deeper into 'The Great Gatsby', examining the novel's narrative structure and the use of paired scenes to contrast the hypocrisy and immorality of the old money society with the more complex and alluring character of Jay Gatsby. It discusses how Gatsby's character is portrayed as possessing fundamental decency despite his criminal involvement, challenging the moral decay embodied by characters like Tom and Daisy Buchanan. The paragraph concludes by reflecting on the broader impact of structuralism, which has revolutionized the understanding of language, culture, and literature through the analysis of underlying structures. It emphasizes how structuralism has been instrumental in critically examining cultural phenomena as seen in the analysis of 'King Lear' and 'The Great Gatsby', providing deeper insights into power dynamics, virtue, and societal norms.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Structuralism
💡Ferdinand de Saussure
💡Roman Jakobson
💡Claude Lévi-Strauss
💡Linguistic Sign
💡Semiotics
💡Narrative Analysis
💡Michel Foucault
💡King Lear
💡The Great Gatsby
Highlights
Structuralism emerged from the pioneering work of Ferdinand de Saussure, who viewed language as a system with an implied order.
Roman Jakobson, an influential formalist, played a key role in shaping French structuralism by focusing on internal systems and orders.
Claude Lévi-Strauss applied structuralism to anthropology, perceiving culture as a system characterized by internal order.
Lévi-Strauss emphasized kinship systems and marriages as a form of communication that helps maintain cultural stability.
Myths were seen by Lévi-Strauss as narratives that resolve contradictions within a culture, despite their heterogeneity.
Saussure's concept of the linguistic sign, consisting of a signifier and a signified, was crucial to understanding language.
Roland Barthes further explored semiotics, examining how signs function to create meaning in different cultural contexts.
Tzvetan Todorov's work connected French structuralism with Russian formalism, focusing on narrative analysis.
Structuralism became the dominant intellectual school in France in the mid-1960s, with notable figures like Michel Foucault and Julia Kristeva.
Foucault explored the role of language and conceptual frameworks in the formations of discourses and their influence on knowledge and perception.
Structuralism allows for a critical examination of the underlying structures that shape cultural phenomena.
In 'King Lear,' structuralism helps understand the play as a collection of signs drawing upon codes of meaning specific to the work and its societal context.
The opening scene of 'King Lear' introduces significant elements, such as the division of the kingdom and the expression of love by the daughters.
The cultural context of 1606 England, where the play is set, is crucial for understanding the significance of the events and actions within 'King Lear.'
Characters in 'King Lear' like Goneril, Regan, and Edmund provide insights into themes of virtue and power.
The narrative structure of 'King Lear' follows a traditional pattern of life, death, and rebirth, reflecting the societal norms of the time.
In 'The Great Gatsby,' structuralism unveils the power of signs and symbols, such as the Dr. T.J. Eckleburg billboard, which signifies moral oversight.
Fitzgerald uses characters like Tom and Daisy Buchanan to epitomize the moral decline of the 1920s and the pursuit of pleasure and privilege.
The contrast between old and new money in 'The Great Gatsby' is highlighted through the characters and their actions, reflecting social class distinctions.
The structure of 'The Great Gatsby' features paired scenes that shed light on the characters and themes, exposing hypocrisy and immorality.
Structuralism has revolutionized our understanding of language, culture, and literature through the works of influential figures.
Transcripts
this is a presentation on structuralism
derived from two books on literary
Theory Rifkin and Ryan's anthology
and Ryan's practical introduction
structuralism emerged from the
pioneering work of Ferdinand jesusure
the sure viewed language as a frozen
system with an implied order comparable
to a leaf cut transversely to see what
lies underneath its surface this implied
order encompasses the entire language
system underlying any smoking utterance
structures have expanded beyond that the
field of linguistics to Fields such as
anthropology philosophy and their trick
system
Roman Jacobson an influential formalist
played a key role in shaping French
structuralism focusing on comprehending
the internal systems and orders that
govern linguistic cultural and literary
phenomena
another influential thinker is Claude
Levy Strauss who applied structuralism
to anthropology perceiving culture as a
system characterized by internal order
this order serves to maintain stability
and coherence while allowing cultural
evolution
emphasized kinship systems and marriages
as a form of communication highlighting
their role in diminishing conflicts
he also looked at how myths revealed a
common underlying structure despite
their heterogeneity functioning as
narratives that resolved contradictions
within a culture for example the various
versions of the Arab Smith addressed the
conflict between the idea of humans
emerging from Earth and the concept of
birth from other humans
socio's contribution to structuralism
includes the concept of the linguistic
sign according to secure words are signs
consisting of a signifier or the sound
itself and a signified or the idea or
the concept behind it so for example the
signifier 3 or ARP or shajara refer to
the idea or the concept of a tree the
signified the two combined signifier and
signified compose the sign itself the
linguistic sign
Robert
further explored the study of signs or
semiotics in literature and culture he
observed that various cultural elements
such as films Commodities events images
derive meaning through their association
with specific signs through
symbiological analysis Bart examined the
ways in which signs function to create
meaning in different contexts
on another front
threatened tadarov's work connecting
French
structuralism with Russian formalism
focuses on narrative analysis as a
common organizing element among diverse
examples his studies highlighted
narrative structures such as the
presence of the missing Center in Henry
James's Tales
in the mid 1960s structuralism became
the dominant intellectual School in
France notable figures such as Michelle
Foucault Jacques laca Julia christiva
and we altuser contributed to its
influence Foucault for instance explored
the role of language and conceptual
Frameworks and the formations of
discourses
for cause work emphasized the changes in
knowledge and language throughout
history he introduced the concept of
discursive formation formations
discourses
which are coherent sets of assumptions
and language
practices that apply to specific domains
of knowledge or Express the beliefs of
specific people these formations
shape our understanding and construction
of the world
Focus study encompasses the history of
sexuality and evolution of regimes of
social discipline he highlighted how
language mediated knowledge and
perception showcasing the influence of
linguistic practices on our
understanding and experience of reality
I will now provide a brief structural
reading of Shakespeare's play kinglier
and Fitzgerald's novel The Great Gatsby
as a practical application of the theory
in looking at William Shakespeare's play
King Lear we can read the play as a
collections of signs that draw upon
codes of meaning specific to the work
itself or rooted in the cultural context
of the era the events and actions Within
the play hold significance within both
the play structure and the societal
codes of the time
for example the opening scene of King
Lear introduces several significant
elements we witness a king dividing his
kingdom and bestowing it upon his
daughters the daughters in return for
this piece of Kingdom profess their love
however one daughter refuses to play
along leading to her management this
Sparks a chain of events including the
objection of a loyal Court here that we
see in this scene where Kent calls
onlyer to be aware of what might look
like being mad at the bow is
fall rather than a fork invade the
region of my heart
Canton manually when Leah is bad
he shall have dread to speak when part
of flattery balls
plainness honest but Majesty forced to
Folly
Reserve thy State and in my best
consideration check thy hideous rashness
yet he reminds Lear to watch out for
when his Majesty's tubes to Foley and to
check his hideous rashness which is Then
followed by the king's offer to the
rejected daughters to the rejected
daughter to her suitors concluding with
the revelation of their sister's plot
against their father
to comprehend the significance of the
opening scene and other events it's
crucial to consider the cultural context
of England in 1606. at that time England
was a monarchy and the King's principal
support stemmed from the aristocracy who
held immense wealth and land ownership
consequently the act of dividing and
giving away land would have been
perceived as an act of Madness
questioning the king's judgmental
judgment and transfer trustworthiness
additionally in a Christian Society
where personal virtue was highly valued
the daughter's Avid pursuit of land
would have reflected negatively upon
them contrasting them with the virtue of
renunciation
as we examine the play further we
encounter characters and narrative
structures that hold deeper symbolism
the actions and statements of characters
like gunril Reagan and Edmund provide
insights into their virtue or lack of
we see here for example Edmund plotting
against his legitimate legitimate
brother Edgar
well then
legitimate Edgar
I must have your land
Our Father's Love is to the bastard
Edmund as to the legitimate
fine word
legitimate
well my legitimate this letter speed in
my invention Thrive Edmund the base
shall top the legitimate aggro I Prosper
now Gods stand up for bastards
the letter he's referring to is of
course his own invention used to plot
against his brother in contrast Edgar
emerges as a paragon of virtue as we see
in act 5 when he disguises himself as
Poor Tom to help his father
moreover The Narrative structure of King
Lear follows a traditional pattern of
Life Death and rebirth progressing from
power to loss of power and eventual
restoration this structure held
significant meaning for the audiences of
that time
and Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby the
novel is replete with signs that serve
also as powerful symbols from cars and
clothing to modes of speech these signs
capture the essence of the story
one particular sign stands out the old
forgotten billboard advertising Dr
eckelberg's Optometry business
this is part of the explanation of the
billboard and I'm reading from the quote
shown on the screen now
above the Greenland you perceive the
eyes of Dr eckelberg a pair of enormous
spectacles
set there to flatten his practice then
sank down himself or forgotten them and
moved away
the billboard evokes an older culture of
moral oversight that is mentioned at the
outset of the novel but soon forgotten
it signifies the abandonment of the once
dominant Protestant moral government by
the wealthy Elite who now dominate the
America of the 1920s
as we delve into the world of The Great
Gatsby we encounter Tom and Daisy
Buchanan representatives of the old
money hyper wealthy class they shattered
Jay Gatsby's dreams of social Ascension
and epitomize a lack of what Nicole's
the fundamental distances
they betray one another casually and
harm others without remorse they their
pursuit of pleasure and privilege is
Paramount while living in a trail of
Broken Dreams and lives in their wake it
is through these characters that
Fitzgerald explores the moral decline of
the era
Fitzgerald presents a stark contrast
between Tom and Daisy Buchanan's old
money world and Jay Gatsby's new money
run the old money Society dominated by
English and Scottish descendants upheld
propriety and clung to the state
nobility of their ethnic background
names like Buchanan and Sloan served as
markers of their exclusive social group
in contrast Gatsby represents the newly
rich like Dan Cody who acquired wealth
in the post-civil war economy Gatsby's
parties are a Melting Pot of ethnic and
professional diversity challenging the
traditional Norms of the old money Elite
as we explore The Narrative of The Great
Gatsby the question arises is it a
Redemption story
at the beginning Nick explores endorses
a moral value system he calls the
fundamental decencies
he sees Gatsby as possessing these
qualities despite his involvement in
criminal activities which presented
everything that Nick scorned
in this world where characters like Tom
and Daisy embody moral Decay Gatsby's
narrative tests the boundaries of
decency
Tome engages in adultery and
orchestrates the death of a man involved
with Daisy while Daisy pursues his Hair
Affair pursues Hair Affair based on
material wealth
amidst this scarcity of decency next
stands out as a contrasting figure
the structure of The Great Gatsby
features paired scenes that shed light
on the characters and themes two Hotel
scenes one depicting Tom's affair with
Myrtle and the other this differs with
katsi with Gatsby expose the hypocrisy
immorality and brutality with Tom and
Daisy's World in contrast the scenes
between Nick and Gatsby delve into the
novel's teams more positively Gatsby's
past is shrouded and lies initially but
as truth unfolds he comes across as a
figure of complexity and Allure the
narratives beginning and ending
emphasize Nick's embodiment of these
fundamental distances and the Rarity of
such virtues in this world of moral
ambiguity which reminds us of the
distances we saw previously in Cordelia
and Shakespeare's play
in conclusion structure them with its
focus on the implied order linguistic
sign
and discourse analysis
has revolutionized our understanding of
language culture and literature
through the works of influential figures
like sassur Levy Strauss Bart and
Foucault structuralism has paved the way
for Critical examination of the
underlying structures that shape diverse
cultural phenomena
its impact can be seen in our analysis
of these two Works King Lear and The
Great Gatsby in kinglier structuralism
allowed us to understand the play as a
collection of signs drawing upon codes
of meaning specific to the work itself
and the societal context of the 1606
England
through this lens significant events and
character symbolism take on heightened
importance shedding light on the
implication of power virtue and societal
norms similarly in The Great Gatsby
structuralism unveils the power of signs
and symbols throughout the novel The
examination of cultural codes embedded
in objects clothing and speech provides
a deeper understanding of the moral
Decline and social class distinctions
present in 1920s America
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