Deconstruction Literary Criticism: An Introduction to Theory and Practice Charles E. Bressler

A Review of Structuralism LLanguage is primary means of signification SSignification is how we achieve meaning through linguistic signs and other symbols LLanguage comprises its own rule- governed system to achieve meaning LLanguage is not the only sign system AAct of reading is a cultural and social practice that contains its own codes MMeaning in a text resides in these codes

Structuralism, continued RReader has mastered codes before he/she ever picks up the text PProper study of literature is inquiry into conditions surrounding the act of interpretation itself, not the investigation of the text SStructuralists seek to discover the overall system (langue) that accounts for the individual interpretation (parole)

DECONSTRUCTION  Challenges structuralist assumptions that a text’s meaning can be discovered through and examination of its structural codes.  Operates under the maxim of undecidability  Asks a new set of questions to show that what a text claims it says and what it actually says are different

DECONSTRUCTION  Casts doubts on previously held theories that sought to find meaning(s) in a text  Declares that a text has an almost infinite number of possible interpretations  Some assert that interpretations are as creative and important as the text

Important Terms to Know MModernism PPostructuralism PPostmodernism DDeconstruction SSignification LLangue PParole MMimetic PPhonology GGrammar SSyntax SSignifier SSignified SSign TTranscendental Signified LLogocentrism BBinary Oppositions PPrivileged UUnprivileged

TERMS, continued PPhonocentrism MMetaphysics of presence SSupplementation DDifferance

MODERNITY Human ability to reason and to grasp truth (Enlightenment) Undoubtable truths supplied by mathematics Science can lead the way to complete understanding of the physical world

MODERNITY Power and strength of individual mind Truth is to be discovered scientifically Texts possess some objective knowable existence that may be analyzed

POSTMODERNISM Challenges modernity’s view of world No objective reality All definitions of truth are subjective Truth is relative Map of meaning replaced with metaphor of collage Reality is human construct Meaning is provisional Decline of influence of religious systems

Ferdinand Saussure Linguistic SIGN (word) Linguistic SIGN (word) SIGNIFIER (spoken sound or written symbol) SIGNIFIER (spoken sound or written symbol) SIGNIFIED (concept signaled by signifier) SIGNIFIED (concept signaled by signifier)

Linguistic Sign Is defined by differences that distinguish if from other signs Is defined by differences that distinguish if from other signs DOG CATPIGMAN

SIGNIFIER SPOKEN OR WRITTEN FORM SPOKEN OR WRITTEN FORM Read this word: FIRE Read this word: FIRE Say this word: FIRE Say this word: FIRE

SIGNIFIED: concept or thing

Fire?????????

Arbitrary...

Sign Is Arbitrary Key Key Eye Eye Note Note Lie Lie Guys Guys Honey Honey Home Home Post Post Book Book Girls Girls Baby Baby Heart Heart

DERRIDA AND SAUSSURE  Derrida affirms concept of language system based on difference  Derrida asserts that the signified can also only be known through relationships

I filled the glass with milk.  Glass is signifier of the signified concept of a container to hold the milk  HOWEVER, IN THE FOLLOWING SENTENCE...

The container was filled with glass.  Spoken or written “container” was signified in previous sentence, but  Now is the signifier  Its signified the concept of an object that can be filled  Notice the changing use of the word GLASS

Western metaphysics invents a variety of terms to function as centers Western metaphysics invents a variety of terms to function as centers Each can operate as a concept that is self- sufficient and self-originating Each can operate as a concept that is self- sufficient and self-originating Thus serving as transcendental signified Thus serving as transcendental signified LOGOCENTRISM: Western desire to find a center and its belief in ultimate reality or center of truth to serve as basis for all thoughts and actions

Deconstruction: a new reading strategy  Discover binary oppositions that govern a text  Comment on values, concepts, ideas beyond the binaries  Reverse these binaries  Dismantle previously held worldviews  Accept possibilities of various perspectives or levels of meaning  Allow meaning to be undecidable