A Comparison of Structuralism and Post-Structuralism in Literary Theory

Literary theory is a field that explores the various ways of interpreting and analyzing literature. Over the years, numerous approaches have emerged, each with its principles and methodologies. Two of the most important and influential theories in this field are Structuralism and Post-Structuralism.

Structuralism originated in the early 20th century and is a theoretical framework that views literary works as a system of signs and symbols within a more extensive cultural system. Structuralists believe that literary works have underlying structures and patterns that can be analyzed to uncover hidden meanings and messages. On the other hand, Post-Structuralism, which emerged as a response to Structuralism, critiques the latter’s emphasis on the stability and universality of meaning. Post-Structuralists argue that meaning is not fixed but constantly shifting and being reconfigured in new and different ways.

This blog will compare and contrast these two theories, exploring their key concepts, principles, and methods. We will examine their similarities and differences and how each has influenced and shaped literary theory and criticism. Whether you are a literature student, a teacher, or simply a reader interested in understanding how literary works are analyzed and interpreted, this blog will provide a comprehensive and informative overview of Structuralism and Post-Structuralism in literary theory.

A Brief History of Both Theories

Structuralism emerged in the early 20th century, primarily as a response to the linguistic theories of Ferdinand de Saussure. Saussure argued that language is a system of signs and symbols that operates through relationships between signifiers and signified. Structuralism applied this idea to other cultural systems, including literature, music, and mythology. In the 1950s and 1960s, Structuralism was further developed by Roland Barthes, Claude Lévi-Strauss, and other French intellectuals.

One of the most famous examples of Structuralist literary analysis is Barthes’ “Death of the Author,” in which he argues that the author’s intentions do not determine the meaning of a literary work but instead by the text itself and the reader’s interpretation of it. Structuralists believe that the underlying structures and patterns in a text can reveal deeper truths about the cultural system in which it was produced.

Post-Structuralism, on the other hand, emerged in the late 1960s as a critique of Structuralism’s emphasis on stability and universality of meaning. Post-Structuralists, such as Jacques Derrida and Michel Foucault, argued that meaning is not fixed but is constantly being reconfigured and reinterpreted in new and different ways. This idea is most famously expressed in Derrida’s deconstruction theory, which critiques the idea of a fixed, stable meaning and argues that all texts contain inherent contradictions and ambiguities.

An example of Post-Structuralist literary analysis can be seen in Foucault’s “The Order of Things,” in which he argues that knowledge is not neutral but instead is shaped by power relationships and social structures. Post-Structuralism has profoundly impacted literary theory, leading to new ways of analyzing and interpreting literary works and challenging traditional ideas about authorship, meaning, and interpretation.

Structuralism in Literary Theory

Structuralists believe that literary works have underlying structures and patterns that can reveal deeper truths about the cultural system in which they were produced.

One of the critical concepts of Structuralism is the idea that language, like literature, is a system of signs and symbols. Structuralists argue that the meaning of a literary work is not determined by the author’s intentions but by the relationships between signifiers and signified within the text. This means that the meaning of a text is not a fixed entity but is produced by the relationships between signs and symbols within the text itself.

Read About: Analysis of The Death of Author by Roland Barthes

Another key concept of Structuralism is the idea of binary oppositions, which refers to how signs and symbols are organized in pairs of contrasting elements. For example, a literary work may contain binary oppositions such as good and evil, light and dark, or life and death. Structuralists believe these binary oppositions are not arbitrary but reflect more profound truths about the cultural system in which they were produced.

One of the most famous examples of Structuralist literary analysis is Roland Barthes’ analysis of Balzac’s novel “Sarrasine.” Barthes argues that the novel is structured around binary oppositions, such as man and woman, truth and falsity, and presence and absence. By analyzing these binary oppositions, Barthes reveals more profound facts about the cultural system in which the novel was produced and its attitudes toward gender, sexuality, and identity.

Post-Structuralism in Literary Theory

One of the critical concepts of Post-Structuralism is the idea of intertextuality, which refers to how other literary works and cultural texts shape literary works. Post-Structuralists argue that literary works are not isolated entities but are constantly engaging with and being shaped by different cultural texts. This means that the meaning of a literary work is not determined by the text itself but instead is produced through its relationship with other cultural texts.

Another key concept of Post-Structuralism is the idea of power and subjectivity. Michel Foucault, for example, argues that knowledge is not neutral but instead is shaped by power relationships and social structures. He argues that the author’s intentions do not determine a text’s meaning but are shaped by the social, cultural, and historical context in which it was produced.

One famous example of Post-Structuralist literary analysis is Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak’s analysis of Jane Eyre. Spivak argues that the novel is not simply a story of a young woman’s search for love and independence but a text shaped by colonialism and imperialism. She argues that the author’s intentions do not determine the meaning of the text but rather are shaped by the social, cultural, and historical context in which it was produced.

Comparison of Structuralism and Post-Structuralism

Structuralism and Post-Structuralism are two theoretical frameworks that have shaped how literary works are analyzed and interpreted. While both frameworks share some common concepts and ideas, they also have significant differences that set them apart.

One key difference between Structuralism and Post-Structuralism is their understanding of the stability and universality of meaning. Structuralism views literary works as a system of signs and symbols that operate within a more extensive cultural system with a stable and universal sense. Post-Structuralism, on the other hand, critiques this view and argues that meaning is not fixed but is constantly being reconfigured and reinterpreted in new and different ways.

Another critical difference between Structuralism and Post-Structuralism is their understanding of the role of power and subjectivity in shaping meaning. Structuralism views meaning as being determined by the text’s relationship between signs and symbols. Post-Structuralism argues that sense is shaped by power relationships and social structures and is not determined by the text itself or the author’s intentions.

An example of the differences between Structuralism and Post-Structuralism can be seen in the analysis of work such as “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen. A structuralist analysis of the novel might focus on its underlying structures and patterns, such as its use of binary oppositions, to uncover deeper truths about the cultural system in which it was produced. A Post-Structuralist analysis, on the other hand, might focus on how the novel is shaped by different cultural texts and the power relationships reflected in the text.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Structuralism and Post-Structuralism are two influential literary theories that have shaped how literary works are analyzed and interpreted. Structuralism views literary works as a system of signs and symbols within a more extensive cultural system with stable and universal meaning. Post-Structuralism, on the other hand, critiques this view and argues that meaning is not fixed but instead is constantly being reconfigured and reinterpreted in new and different ways. Understanding the differences and similarities between these two theories can provide a deeper and more nuanced understanding of literary ways in which they reflect and challenge the cultural systems in which they were produced.