Structuralism

Summary

This 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.