Literary Theory and

Methodology
Session Seven: PostStructuralism

Jens Kirk, Dept. of Langua

ges and Culture

Literary Theory and Methodology

Agenda

Structuralism a recap
Poststructuralism a
problematisation of structuralism
Poststructuralism key concepts
(?)

Jens Kirk, Dept.

of Languages an

Literary Theory and Metho

dology

Jakobsons Six Factors

of Verbal
Communication
context

Addresser

message

addressee

contact

code
Jens Kirk, Dept.
of Languages an

Literary Theory and Metho

dology

Jakobsons Six
Functions of Verbal
Communication
Referential
Emotive

poetic

conative

phatic

metalingual
Jens Kirk, Dept.
of Languages an

Literary Theory and Metho

dology

Structuralism: Key
concepts

Langue
System
Rules
Code
Paradigmatic
relations

Jens Kirk, Dept.

of Languages an

Parole
Practice
Event
Text
Syntagmatic
relations

Literary Theory and Metho

dology

Poststructuralism: Key
concepts

No meaning
giving centre or
origin

Jens Kirk, Dept.

of Languages an

Discourse
Context
Language in use

Literary Theory and Metho

dology

Structuralism: The
sign unit
Signifier
Signified

Jens Kirk, Dept.

of Languages an

Literary Theory and Metho

dology

The sign unit

Signifier: cat, /kt/

Signified:

Jens Kirk, Dept.

of Languages an

Literary Theory and Metho

dology

The sign unit revisited

1. a. A well-known carnivorous quadruped
2. fig.a. As a term of contempt for a
human being; esp. one who scratches like
a cat; a spiteful or backbiting woman.
spec. an itinerant worker (U.S. slang).
b. slang. A prostitute. Obs.
c. An expert in, or one expertly
appreciative of, jazz. slang (orig. U.S.).
d. slang. A regular guy, fellow, man.
Jens Kirk, Dept.
of Languages an

Literary Theory and Metho

dology

The sign unit revisited

Signifier:
Cat
Signified:
carniverous quadruped
spiteful woman
itnerant worker
jazz fan
regular guy

Jens Kirk, Dept.

of Languages an

Literary Theory and Metho

dology

Poststructuralism:
Signifiers
Cat

Carnivrous quadruped spiteful woman itinerant worker Jazz fan

Jens Kirk, Dept.

of Languages an

Literary Theory and Metho

dology

Poststructuralism key
concepts (?)

Why is it problematic to speak of

concepts in the context of
poststructuralism?

Jens Kirk, Dept.

of Languages an

Literary Theory and Metho

dology

Poststructuralism key
concepts

Logocentrism: the desire a

meaning giving centre or origin.
The hierachy of presence and
absence
Phonocentrism: the hierachy of
speech and writing

Jens Kirk, Dept.

of Languages an

Literary Theory and Metho

dology

Poststructuralism key
concepts

Diffrance
To be different (spatial concept)
To defer (temporal concept)

Diffrance (writing) vs. Diffrence

(speech)

Jens Kirk, Dept.

of Languages an

Literary Theory and Metho

dology

Poststructuralism key
concepts

Deconstruction and violent hierachies

and oppositions, eg:

Ideal real
Nature culture
Good evil
Innocence - experience
Literal figurative
Truth fiction
Story discourse (plot)

Jens Kirk, Dept.

of Languages an

Literary Theory and Metho

dology