Structuralist

STRUCTURALIST
Literary Approach
Facilator:
Cambed
Datumanong
a) Good vs. Evil
b) Patriotism vs. Betrayal
c) Order vs. Chaos
d) Darkness vs. Lightness

a) Kindness vs. Greed
b) Patriotism vs. Betrayal
c) Order vs. Chaos
d) Darkness vs. Lightness

a) Patriotism vs. Betrayal
b) Order vs. Chaos
c) Darkness vs. Lightness
d) Good vs. Evil

a)Patriotism vs. Betrayal
b) Order vs. Chaos
c) Life vs. Death
d) Good vs. Evil

a) Patriotism vs. Betrayal
b) Order vs. Chaos
c) Life vs. Death
d) Creation vs. Destruction

OBJECTIVE
a. Discuss how structuralism approaches the analysis of
literature
b. Analyzing narrative structures (e.g., folktale,

morphology)
c. Examining binary oppositions and their role in creating

meaning (e.g., good vs. evil, order vs. Chaos)
d. Decoding symbols and their significance within the

texts system
e. Discuss the concept of “intertextuality” in

structuralism. How does a text gain meaning through its
relationship with other texts?
OVERVIEW Introduction
Key Concepts
Application of Structuralism
Analyzing a Philippine Text
through Structuralism Methodology
Intertextuality in Structuralism
Conclusion
Activity
Introduction
Definition
• Structuralism is an approach in literary

theory that sees literature as a system of
signs.
• It focuses on understanding the underlying
structures that shape meaning within texts.
• Structuralists believe that meaning is
constructed through language and
Key Figures in Structuralism
Ferdinand de Saussure
 In his “Course in General Linguistics,” Saussure

(1966) laid the groundwork for structuralist theory
by proposing that language is a system of signs:
(Signifier & Signified)
Claude Lévi-Strauss
 An Anthropologist who applied structuralist

methods to the study of myths, demonstrating
how they reflect the underlying structures of
the human mind.
 Binary Oppositions
Roland Barthes
 A literary theorist who explored structuralism

in literature, arguing that texts should be
analyzed as systems of signs.
Works:
 S/Z
 Mythologies
Influence of Structuralism on
Literary Theory
1. Semiotics
Structuralism introduced semiotics as a method
to analyze literature, emphasizing the study of
signs, symbols, and their meanings within
structured system.
 Roland Barthes: In his work “Mythologies”

and “Elements of Semiology” Barthes
explores semiotics and how symbols convey
meaning within structured systems.
2. Narative Structures
Structuralism analyzes narratives as
structured systems of signs rather than just
stories, exploring how texts convey meaning
throigh organize pattern and codes.
 Claude Bremond: A structuralist theorist

who examined narrative structures in his
work “Logique du recit” (Logic of the
Narrative).
3. Deconstruction
While not strictly structuralist, Jacques Derrida’s
deconstructionist approach critiqued and
extended structuralism by challenging fixed
meanings and hierarchies within text, leading to
post-structuralist theories.
 Jacque Derrida: Derrida’s seminal work “Of

Grammatology” and “Writing and Difference”
critiques structuralism and introduces
deconstructuralism , challenging fixed
Key Concepts
and
Methodology
Langue Parole
 Refers to the abstract,  Refers to the actual use of

sytematic rules and language in concrete
conventions of a language situations
Sign, Signifier, and Signified
 A sign consists of the signifier (form) and the signified (concept) ; the
relationship between them is abritary
Binary Oppositions
 Meaning is created through oppositions such as good vs. evil, order vs.
chaos
Application of
Structuralism in
Literary Studies
How does Structuralism work in
Literary Studies?
OBJECTIVES
:
 It aims to uncover the deeper meanings and
patterns that might not be obvious at first glance
2 :
METHODS
 It focuses on finding recurring themes, symbols
and relationships between characters or ideas
3
 Utilizes binary oppositions or narrative structure
analysis
Where is Structuralism Used?
LITERARY TEXT
 Its used to understand how stories
: are put
together beyond what happens in them
MYTHS AND FOLKTALES

2
 Helps find common themes and: symbols across
different cultures’ stories
NOVELS
3
 Shows how authors use similar structures or
themes in their writing
What does Structuralism
Analyze?
MYTHS
 Looks :for symbols like heroes or quests that
appear in stories worldwide
FOLKTALES
2
 Identifies
: patterns like characters overcoming
challenges or learning lessons
NOVELS
3
 Examines how plots unfold or characters interact
to reveal deeper meanings
Strengths and Limitations
STRENGTHS
: universal patterns that connect stories
 It reveals
across cultures. It also provides a clear way to
analyze complex texts.
2 :
LIMITATIONS
 It might simplify stories too much by focusing
only on structures, and it can overlook the
unique details of specific cultures or authors
3
intention
Struturalist Analysis
QUANTITATIVE
 Binary Oppositions: Analyzes the myth
.
through the lens of binary oppositions
such as male - female, divine – mortal,
chaos – order, and nature-culture.
QUANTITATIVE
 Narrative Structure: Examines the
narrative
. structure for recurring
patterns and plot elements
 Symbolism: Identifies symbolic

meanings behind characters (e.g.,
monkey as trickster, turle as wise) and
their actions
QUANTITATIVE
 Binary Oppositions: Identifies
characters
. and their roles in the
narrative (e.g., the hero, the villain)
 Narrative Patterns: Analyzes recurring

themes and motifs (e.g., love and
betrayal, oppression and resistance)
within the novel.
INTERTEXTUALITY
Intertextuality
 Refers to the relationship between texts, where one text is
shaped by its reference to other texts. It highights how text are
interconnected and influenced by each other.
Importance:
 Enhances depth and complexity of literary works
 Allows for the exploration of cultural and historical contexts.
 Encourages critical analysis of how meaning is constructed in
texts.
How a text gain meaning through Relationship
 Textual Dialogues: Texts engage in continuous dialogue with other

texts, contributing to the creation of meanings and interpretation
 Contextual Enrichment: Intertextuality enriches the context of a text

by referencing cultural, historical and literary frameworks.
 Reader’s Role: Readers decipher these intertextual references,

contributing to the construction of meaning through their
interpretation.
BIBLICAL ALLUSIONS IN LITERATURE
 John Milton’s “Paradise Lost”  T.S Elliot’s “The Waste Land”

draws heavily on biblical incorporates various religious texts
narrative and myths
MYTHOLOGICAL REFERENCES
 James Joyce’s “Ulysses” mirrors Margaret Atwoods “The Penelopiad”

Homer’s “Odyssey” in its retells the story of Penelope from the
structure and themes “Odyssey”
LITERARY PARODIES AND HOMAGES
 “Pride and Prejudice and Salman Rushdie’s “Midnight’s

Zombies” by Seth Grahame- Children” pays homage to the
Smith parodies Jane Austen’s history and culture of India
classic novel through intertextual references
REFERENCES
• Barthes, R.(1972). Mythologies. Hill and Wang.

• Barthes , R. (1967). Elements of Semiology.
• Bremond, C. (1973). Logic of the Narrative. University of Toronto Press.
• Derrida, J. (1997). Of Grammatology. Johns Hopkins University P:ress.
• Derrida, J. (1978). Writing and Difference. University of Chicago Press.
•
•
DOES ANYONE HAVE
De Saussaure, F. (1966). Course in General Linguistic. McGraw Hill Book Company.
ANY QUESTIONS?
THANK
YOU
for your attention

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STRUCTURALIST

b) Patriotism vs. Betrayal

c) Order vs. Chaos

d) Darkness vs. Lightness

b) Patriotism vs. Betrayal

c) Order vs. Chaos

d) Darkness vs. Lightness

b) Order vs. Chaos

c) Darkness vs. Lightness

d) Good vs. Evil

b) Order vs. Chaos

c) Life vs. Death

d) Good vs. Evil

b) Order vs. Chaos

c) Life vs. Death

d) Creation vs. Destruction

b. Analyzing narrative structures (e.g., folktale,

c. Examining binary oppositions and their role in creating

d. Decoding symbols and their significance within the

e. Discuss the concept of “intertextuality” in

• Structuralism is an approach in literary

 In his “Course in General Linguistics,” Saussure

 An Anthropologist who applied structuralist

 A literary theorist who explored structuralism

 Roland Barthes: In his work “Mythologies”

 Claude Bremond: A structuralist theorist

 Jacque Derrida: Derrida’s seminal work “Of

 Refers to the abstract,  Refers to the actual use of

MYTHS AND FOLKTALES

 Symbolism: Identifies symbolic

 Narrative Patterns: Analyzes recurring

 Textual Dialogues: Texts engage in continuous dialogue with other

 Contextual Enrichment: Intertextuality enriches the context of a text

 Reader’s Role: Readers decipher these intertextual references,

 John Milton’s “Paradise Lost”  T.S Elliot’s “The Waste Land”

 James Joyce’s “Ulysses” mirrors Margaret Atwoods “The Penelopiad”

 “Pride and Prejudice and Salman Rushdie’s “Midnight’s

• Barthes, R.(1972). Mythologies. Hill and Wang.

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