What is Structuralism? : Class 12 Optional English
Structuralism in literature is a literary theory and a method of text analysis that emerged in the mid-20th century. It focuses on the basic structure and organization of a literary work rather than content or its individual elements.
Structuralists believe that meaning arises from relationships between different parts of a text and study the patterns, systems, and structures that form a literary work.
Here are some key concepts related to structuralism in literature:
Binary Opposition:
Structuralists identify binary opposites, such as good and evil, man and evil. women, nature and culture, etc., which they consider fundamental in the process of creating meaning in literature.
Meaning and Expression:
Structuralists distinguish between the signifier (the physical form of a sign, such as a word) and the signified (the concept or meaning associated with the sign). They argue that meaning is constructed through the relationship between the signifier and the signified.
Structural analysis:
Structuralists use a variety of analytical methods, such as narrative structure analysis, semiotic analysis, and linguistic analysis, to uncover the structures and systems that underlie an author’s work.
Intertextuality:
Structuralists emphasize the intertextual nature of literature, emphasizing how texts are connected to and influenced by other texts, cultural norms, and systems of meaning.