“Death of the Author” Student Edition Roland Barthes Created by: Brett Ader Based on a Presentation by: Joseph Hall Edited By: Dr. Picart Associate Professor of English Courtesy Associate Professor of Law

Death of the Author Author- Someone who writes a book.Author- Someone who writes a book. In the “Death of the Author,” Barthes demonstrates that an author is more than a mere person.In the “Death of the Author,” Barthes demonstrates that an author is more than a mere person. Person vs. Socially and Historically constituted subjectPerson vs. Socially and Historically constituted subject Marx’s Theory vs. Hegelian TheoryMarx’s Theory vs. Hegelian Theory –Marx : ________________ –Hegel : ________________

Continued….. Barthes’ theory states that: ___________________ ___________________ ___________________Barthes’ theory states that: ___________________ ___________________ ___________________

Barthes and Marx Would Have Been Friends Barthes/Marx: History makes man. Writing makes author (man). Thus, does history make writing?Barthes/Marx: History makes man. Writing makes author (man). Thus, does history make writing? Philosophy:Philosophy:__________________________________.: History makes the writing

Class Discussion Do you agree or disagree with Barthes’ theory that writing makes the author and not vice versa?Do you agree or disagree with Barthes’ theory that writing makes the author and not vice versa?

Does the Author Have the Power? According to many contemporary theorists, they do not.According to many contemporary theorists, they do not. Emile Beneviste – the idea that the “I” of a sentence is different from the subject who speaks the sentence.Emile Beneviste – the idea that the “I” of a sentence is different from the subject who speaks the sentence. - Ex. “I went to the store.” Beneviste believes the “I” could mean anyone who could say the sentence.Beneviste believes the “I” could mean anyone who could say the sentence. According to Beneviste, the author does not have the power.According to Beneviste, the author does not have the power.

Continued….. Ferdinand de Saussure – the idea that meaning does not belong to words but to the: ________Ferdinand de Saussure – the idea that meaning does not belong to words but to the: ________ The “Father of Structuralism”The “Father of Structuralism” –__________________________

And Continued…. Examples of Pragmatic placement of language could include:Examples of Pragmatic placement of language could include:

And Continued… According to this, the author does not have the power. Instead, _____________________________________ _____________________________________ _____________________________________According to this, the author does not have the power. Instead, _____________________________________ _____________________________________ _____________________________________

Barthes Utopian Dream: Is It Our Reality? What do you think?

Class Discussion Do you think that the learning process would be hindered if humans could not dissect writings and interpret them for himself/herself? Basically, what if we had to understand all writings at face-value?Do you think that the learning process would be hindered if humans could not dissect writings and interpret them for himself/herself? Basically, what if we had to understand all writings at face-value?