Structuralism Literary Theory : Definition , History & Major Theorists
Structuralism Literary Theory : Definition , History & Major Theorists - Structuralism is a theoretical approach that emerged in the
early 20th century in the fields of anthropology, linguistics, and literary
studies. In literary theory, structuralism analyzes a literary text as a system
of interrelated parts that make up a coherent whole.
This article will explore the basic
principles of structuralism literary theory, its history, key figures, and
significance in the field of literary studies.
The main idea of structuralism literary theory is that
meaning in a literary text is not simply conveyed through its content or plot,
but also through the underlying structures and patterns that govern its
organization. Structuralists argue that literary works can be analyzed as
complex systems of signs and symbols that are governed by rules and
conventions.
Structuralism
emerged in the mid-20th century as a reaction against traditional literary criticism, which tended to
focus on the author's biography, historical context, or moral message.
Structuralists believed that these approaches did not adequately explain how
meaning is produced in a literary text.
One of the key figures in structuralist literary theory is
Ferdinand de Saussure, a Swiss linguist who developed the concept of semiotics.
Semiotics is the study of signs and symbols and the ways in which they convey
meaning. Saussure argued that language is a system of signs that is organized
according to rules and conventions.
Structuralist literary theory
emphasizes the ways in which literary works are structured and organized.
Structuralists analyze the underlying structures and patterns of literary
texts, including plot, character, symbolism, and imagery. They argue that these
structures and patterns reveal deeper meanings and insights into the human
experience.
Structuralist literary theory has had a significant impact on literary studies, as well as on other fields such as anthropology, psychology, and philosophy. Its emphasis on the underlying structures and patterns of meaning has inspired new approaches to literary analysis, including psychoanalytic, feminist, and postcolonial criticism.
1. What is
Structuralism Literary Theory?
Structuralism is a theoretical approach that emphasizes the
interdependence of elements within a system. In literary theory, structuralism
focuses on analyzing the underlying structures that give meaning to a literary
text. Structuralist literary critics believe that a literary work is not a
random collection of words, but a structured system of signifiers that create
meaning. Structuralism Literary Theory : Definition , History & Major Theorists
Structuralism literary theory is a way of analyzing literary
texts that focuses on the underlying structures and patterns that shape
meaning. Structuralism emerged in the mid-20th century as a reaction against
traditional literary criticism, which tended to focus on the author's
biography, historical context, or moral message.
Structuralist literary theory is based on the idea that
meaning is not simply conveyed through the content of a literary text but is
also shaped by the structure of the text itself. Structuralists argue that
literary works can be analyzed as complex systems of signs and symbols that are
governed by rules and conventions.
One of the key figures in structuralist literary theory is
Ferdinand de Saussure, a Swiss linguist who developed the concept of
"semiotics." Semiotics is the study of signs and symbols and the ways
in which they convey meaning. Saussure argued that language is a system of
signs that is organized according to rules and conventions.
Structuralist literary theory emphasizes the ways in
which literary works are structured and organized. Structuralists analyze the
underlying structures and patterns of literary texts, including plot,
character, symbolism, and imagery. They argue that these structures and
patterns reveal deeper meanings and insights into the human experience.
Structuralism Literary Theory : Definition , History & Major Theorists Structuralist literary theory has had a significant impact on
literary studies, as well as on other fields such as anthropology, psychology,
and philosophy. Its emphasis on the underlying structures and patterns of
meaning has inspired new approaches to literary analysis, including
psychoanalytic, feminist, and postcolonial criticism.
2. The History of Structuralism Literary Theory
Structuralism emerged in the early 20th century in the fields
of anthropology and linguistics. The Swiss linguist Ferdinand de Saussure is
often considered the father of structuralism. He proposed that language is a
system of signs that are composed of a signifier (the word) and a signified
(the concept). Saussure believed that the relationship between the signifier
and the signified is arbitrary and that meaning is created by the difference
between signs.
Structuralism literary theory emerged in the mid-20th century
as a response to the dominant approaches to literary analysis at the time. The
theory is rooted in the broader structuralist movement, which began in
linguistics and anthropology in the early 20th century.
One of the key figures in the development of structuralism
was Ferdinand de Saussure, a Swiss linguist who is often considered the founder
of modern linguistics. Saussure argued that language is a system of signs that
is arbitrary and conventional, meaning that the relationship between a word and
its meaning is not fixed or natural but is instead determined by social and
cultural conventions.
Structuralism Literary Theory : Definition , History & Major Theorists Saussure's ideas about language and signs were influential in
the development of structuralist literary theory, which emphasizes the
interdependence of elements within a system. Structuralist literary theory
argues that literary texts can be analyzed as systems of interconnected parts,
with each part contributing to the overall meaning of the text.
Ferdinand de Saussure's ideas about language and signs were
fundamental to the development of structuralist literary theory. Saussure
argued that language is a system of signs that is arbitrary and conventional,
meaning that there is no inherent connection between a word and the object or
concept it represents. Instead, the relationship between a sign and its meaning
is determined by social and cultural conventions that are shared within a
particular community.
Saussure also emphasized the importance of the signifier and
the signified in understanding the nature of language. The signifier refers to
the physical form of the sign, such as the sound or written symbol, while the
signified refers to the concept or meaning associated with that form. Saussure
argued that the relationship between the signifier and the signified is not
fixed or natural but is instead determined by social and cultural conventions.
These ideas about language and signs were influential in the
development of structuralist literary theory, which sees literary texts as
systems of interconnected parts that contribute to the overall meaning of the
text. According to structuralist theory, the relationship between different
elements of a literary text is similar to the relationship between signifiers
and signifieds in language. Each element contributes to the overall meaning of
the text in a specific way, and the meaning of the text is not inherent in any
one element but is instead the result of the overall structure of the text.
Saussure's ideas about language and signs also had a
significant impact on other fields, including linguistics, anthropology, and
semiotics. His concept of the arbitrary nature of the sign and the importance
of social and cultural conventions in determining meaning continue to be
influential in contemporary theories of language and communication.
Another important figure in the development of structuralist
literary theory was Viktor Shklovsky, a Russian formalist who argued that
literature is defined by its use of language in unusual or
"defamiliarized" ways. Shklovsky believed that literary texts should
be analyzed not for their content but for their formal structure, which he saw
as a way of drawing attention to the artifice of language and the ways in which
it shapes our perceptions of the world. Structuralism Literary Theory.
In the 1950s and 1960s, structuralist literary theory became
increasingly influential in literary studies. French literary critic Roland
Barthes, for example, applied structuralist principles to the analysis of
literary texts in his book "Elements of Semiology" (1964), in which
he argued that literary texts can be analyzed as systems of signs and symbols
that operate according to specific rules and conventions.
Other important structuralist literary critics of this period
include Czech literary theorist Jan Mukařovský, Russian literary theorist Roman
Jakobson, and French anthropologist Claude Lévi-Strauss. Each of these critics
developed their own variations on structuralist theory, with Jakobson, for
example, emphasizing the role of language in shaping our perceptions of the
world, and Lévi-Strauss applying structuralist principles to the study of myth
and symbolism.
In the late 1960s and 1970s, structuralism began to decline
in popularity as a new generation of literary critics and theorists began to
criticize its emphasis on formalism and its tendency to ignore historical and
cultural context. Nevertheless, structuralist literary theory has had a
significant impact on literary studies and other fields, and its principles
continue to influence contemporary literary criticism and theory.
3.
Key Figures in Structuralism Literary Theory
In the field of literary studies, the Russian formalists and
the Prague School were the first to apply structuralist principles to
literature. The Russian formalists, led by Viktor Shklovsky and Roman Jakobson,
focused on the formal aspects of literary texts, such as rhythm and rhyme. The
Prague School, led by Jan Mukařovský, emphasized the role of context in shaping
meaning.
The French structuralists, including Roland Barthes, Jacques
Lacan, and Claude Lévi-Strauss, expanded on the Russian and Prague School approaches
and developed a more comprehensive structuralist literary theory. Barthes, for
example, proposed the concept of "the death of the author," which
suggests that the author's intention is not as important as the reader's
interpretation of the text.
There are several key figures in the development of
structuralist literary theory. Here are a few of the most important:
Ferdinand de Saussure: Saussure was a Swiss linguist who is
often credited with laying the foundations for structuralism. His ideas about
language and signs, discussed in the previous section, were fundamental to the
development of structuralist literary theory.
Claude Lévi-Strauss: Lévi-Strauss was a French anthropologist
who applied structuralist ideas to the study of mythology and kinship systems.
He argued that myths and kinship systems could be understood as symbolic
systems that reflect underlying structures of the human mind.
Roman Jakobson: Jakobson was a Russian-American linguist who
was associated with the Prague School of structural linguistics. His ideas
about language and communication, including his concept of the "poetic
function" of language, were influential in the development of
structuralist literary theory.
Roland Barthes: Barthes was a French literary theorist who
applied structuralist ideas to the analysis of literature and culture. His book
"Mythologies" is a classic example of structuralist analysis, in
which he analyzes everyday objects and cultural practices as systems of signs
that reflect underlying social and cultural structures.
Jacques Lacan: Lacan was a French psychoanalyst who applied
structuralist ideas to the study of the human psyche. He argued that the human
subject is constituted through language and that the unconscious mind is
structured like a language.
These key figures, along with others, contributed to the
development of structuralist literary theory and had a significant impact on
literary studies and other fields of study. Their ideas continue to be
influential in contemporary theories of literature, language, and culture.
4.
The Significance of Structuralism Literary Theory
Structuralism has had a significant impact on literary theory
and criticism. It has provided a new way of understanding the underlying
structures of literary texts and has challenged traditional approaches to
literary analysis. Structuralism has also influenced other fields, such as film
studies and cultural studies.
5.
How Structuralism Literary Theory Applies to Literary Analysis
Structuralist literary critics analyze a literary text as a
system of signifiers that create meaning. They focus on the relationships
between different elements within the text, such as plot, character, and
setting. Structuralist literary analysis often involves identifying patterns
and structures within the text and exploring their significance.
6.
Limitations and Criticisms of Structuralism Literary Theory
Structuralism has been criticized for its emphasis on
formalism and its tendency to ignore historical and cultural context. Some
critics argue that structuralism is too abstract and does not take into account
the individuality of the reader's experience. Others argue that structuralism
oversimplifies the complexities of literary texts by reducing them to a set of
formal structures.
7.
Structuralism Literary Theory Compared to Other Literary Theories
Structuralism is just one of many literary theories that have
been developed over the years. Some of the other major literary theories
include new criticism, reader-response theory, and post-structuralism. Each of
these theories offers a different approach to understanding literary texts and
has its own strengths and limitations.
8.
Structuralism Literary Theory in Practice: Examples in Literature
Structuralist literary analysis can be applied to a wide
range of literary texts. For example, in William Shakespeare's play Hamlet, a
structuralist analysis might focus on the relationships between the characters
and the themes of revenge and madness. In James Joyce's novel Ulysses, a
structuralist analysis might focus on the different narrative structures that
are used throughout the book.
Structuralist literary theory can be applied to a wide range
of literary works, from poetry to novels to drama. Here are a few examples of
how structuralist ideas have been applied in the analysis of specific literary
works:
"Hamlet" by William Shakespeare: In his essay
"The Uncanny," Jacques Lacan applied structuralist ideas to the
analysis of "Hamlet." Lacan argued that the play's exploration of
identity, madness, and the Oedipus complex reflects underlying structures of
the human psyche.
"To the Lighthouse" by Virginia Woolf: In his book
"Narrative Discourse," Gerard Genette analyzed the structure of Woolf's
novel, arguing that it is organized around a series of binary oppositions, such
as life and death, art and nature, and male and female.
"The Waste Land" by T.S. Eliot: In his book
"The Structuralist View of Theories of Fiction," Robert Scholes
analyzed Eliot's poem as a complex system of interrelated motifs and images. He
argued that the poem reflects underlying structures of cultural and historical
meaning.
"One Hundred Years of Solitude" by Gabriel Garcia
Marquez: In her book "Magical Realism and the Fantastic," Zamora and
Faris analyzed Marquez's novel as an example of magical realism, a literary
genre that often features complex structures of time, space, and reality.
"Invisible Cities" by Italo Calvino: In his essay
"On Reading 'Invisible Cities'," Umberto Eco analyzed Calvino's novel
as a system of interrelated motifs and images. He argued that the novel
reflects underlying structures of human thought and perception.
These examples demonstrate the versatility and applicability
of structuralist literary theory in the analysis of diverse literary works. By
analyzing the underlying structures of literary texts, structuralist theory
offers a rich and nuanced understanding of the meaning and significance of
literature.
9.
Structuralism Literary Theory in the Modern World
Although structuralism as a movement has declined in recent
years, its principles continue to influence literary studies and other fields.
Many contemporary literary critics still use structuralist principles in their
analysis of literary texts. Structuralist ideas have also been applied to other
fields, such as anthropology, linguistics, and psychology.
10.
The Future of Structuralism Literary Theory
As with any theoretical approach, the future of structuralism
literary theory is uncertain. Some critics argue that structuralism is outdated
and has been superseded by newer approaches. However, others believe that
structuralism still has relevance today and that its principles can be applied
to contemporary literary texts.
Post
structuralism literary theory
Post-structuralism is a literary theory that developed in the
late 1960s and early 1970s as a reaction against structuralism.
Post-structuralists argued that structuralism was too focused on fixed, stable
structures and ignored the ways in which language and meaning are constantly in
flux and subject to change.
One of the key figures of post-structuralism is Jacques
Derrida, a French philosopher who developed the concept of
"deconstruction." Deconstruction is a method of literary analysis
that emphasizes the ways in which texts are not unified or coherent but are
instead marked by contradictions, aporias, and uncertainties.
Another important post-structuralist thinker is Michel
Foucault, a French philosopher and social theorist who explored the
relationship between power, knowledge, and discourse. Foucault argued that
power is not simply a matter of domination or repression but is deeply embedded
in the ways in which we understand and produce knowledge.
Post-structuralist literary theory emphasizes the ways in
which literary texts are marked by instability, fragmentation, and
indeterminacy. Post-structuralists argue that meaning is not fixed or stable
but is instead constantly in flux, subject to the influence of cultural,
historical, and political factors.
Post-structuralism has had a significant impact on literary
studies, as well as on other fields such as philosophy, anthropology, and
cultural studies. Its emphasis on the fluidity and contingency of meaning has
inspired new approaches to literary analysis, including feminist, queer, and
postcolonial criticism.
11.
Conclusion
In conclusion, structuralism is a theoretical approach that
emphasizes the interdependence of elements within a system. In literary theory,
structuralism focuses on analyzing the underlying structures that give meaning
to a literary text. Although structuralism has been criticized for its
formalism and its tendency to ignore historical and cultural context, it has
had a significant impact on literary theory and criticism. Structuralism has
provided a new way of understanding the underlying structures of literary texts
and has challenged traditional approaches to literary analysis.
12.
FAQs
What is structuralism literary theory?
Structuralism literary theory is an approach to analyzing
literary texts that emphasizes the interdependence of elements within a system
and focuses on analyzing the underlying structures that give meaning to a
literary text.
Who are some of the key figures in structuralism literary
theory?
Some of the key figures in structuralism literary theory
include Ferdinand de Saussure, Viktor Shklovsky, Roman Jakobson, Jan
Mukařovský, Roland Barthes, Jacques Lacan, and Claude Lévi-Strauss.
How does structuralism literary theory differ from other
literary theories?
Structuralism literary theory differs from other literary
theories, such as new criticism, reader-response theory, and
post-structuralism, in its emphasis on analyzing the underlying structures that
give meaning to a literary text.
What are some of the criticisms of structuralism literary
theory?
Some of the criticisms of structuralism literary theory
include its emphasis on formalism and its tendency to ignore historical and
cultural context.
What is the future of structuralism literary theory?
The future of structuralism literary theory is uncertain, but
some critics believe that its principles still have relevance today and can be
applied to contemporary literary texts.
0 comments:
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.