In literary theory, structuralist criticism relates literary texts to a larger structure, which may be a particular genre, a range of intertextual connections, a model of a universal narrative structure, or a system of recurrent patterns or motifs.
Structuralism in literature examines texts through their underlying structures, emphasizing the systems of relationships between elements rather than their individual meanings. This approach fundamentally challenges the traditional notion that literature directly reflects an author’s intent or an external reality.
By focusing on deep structures rather than overt content, structuralism reveals the rules governing narratives and character archetypes across different works. This analytical lens can offer fresh insights into seemingly familiar texts, uncovering patterns and meanings that might otherwise go unnoticed.
Historical Context
Structuralism emerged in the 1950s and 1960s, primarily in France. It was influenced by developments in linguistics, particularly Ferdinand de Saussure’s work. During this period, intellectuals sought new ways to understand social and cultural systems.
The movement gained traction in the Parisian academic scene and later spread to the Anglo-American world. Key events include the publication of Claude Lévi-Strauss’s works on anthropology and Roland Barthes‘s essays on semiotics and mythology.
Saussure’s theory of language as a system of signs laid the foundation for structuralist analysis, influencing later thinkers like Barthes, who applied these principles to literature and culture. Barthes extended structuralism to literary criticism, exploring how texts function as systems of signs.
Other significant contributors are Louis Althusser and Jacques Lacan, who integrated structuralist ideas into Marxist theory and psychoanalysis, respectively. These theorists collectively shaped structuralism into a major intellectual movement.
Key Principles
Structuralism in literary theory examines the structures within texts to uncover the relationships between different elements. This approach, derived from linguistics, allows for the study of abstract patterns that govern how literature is constructed and interpreted.
Structuralists argue that meaning arises from the relationships between elements within a text, such as characters, narrative devices, and linguistic patterns. They also believe that these relationships form a system governed by rules, akin to grammar in language.
The theory of structuralism in literature focuses on uncovering the underlying structures in texts, such as narrative conventions and linguistic codes, that shape meaning independently of the author’s intentions.
Hence, the primary principle of structuralism as a literary theory is the analysis of underlying structures. These structures are thought to govern how texts generate meaning. Saussure’s concept of the “sign” (composed of signifier and signified) is fundamental to structuralism as a literary theory.
Analysis of Narratives
In narrative analysis, structuralism identifies universal plots and character archetypes that recur across different works. These common frameworks help in understanding how stories are told and received.
One key aspect is the use of binary oppositions, such as good/evil or life/death, to structure narratives. Vladimir Propp’s analysis of Russian folktales is a classic example. Propp identified 31 narrative functions, such as “villainy” and “hero’s return,” that were consistent in these stories.
Similarly, Tzvetan Todorov categorized narratives into equilibriums and disequilibriums, showing a pattern of disruption and resolution. By focusing on these patterns, structuralism reveals the deep-seated conventions that inform storytelling.
Structuralism in Literary Criticism
Structuralism employs various techniques for literary criticism, such as semiotics and intertextuality. Semiotics focuses on the signs and symbols within a text, analyzing how meaning is created through language and cultural codes. Barthes extended this to popular culture, treating everyday phenomena as textual analyses.
Intertextuality involves examining how texts reference or echo other texts. This technique shows how work is interconnected through shared codes and conventions. For instance, Julia Kristeva highlighted how every text is a mosaic of quotations, drawing from previous text to create new meanings.
These techniques allow critics to dissect a text methodically, exploring multiple layers of meaning beyond the surface narrative. They emphasize how understanding a text’s structure can provide deeper insights into its cultural and social context.
From the intricate mythologies dissected by Lévi-Strauss to the deconstructive critiques posed by Derrida, structuralism’s impact on literary criticism is profound. It invites readers and critics alike to consider how stories are constructed and how meaning is produced. Understanding these underlying structures enriches one’s appreciation of literature, transforming the reading experience into an exploration of the fundamental principles that shape human expression.
Further Reading
Structuralism by Nasrullah Mambrol, Literariness.org
Structuralism Theory in English Literature: Details of the Structuralist Approach & Key Theorists by Alok Mishra, English Literature Education
What are some examples of structuralism in literature? on Quora
A Theory of Literary Structuralism (in Henry James) by Ali Taghizadeh, Academy Publication
