Structuralism - Main Figures & Key Concepts (Literary Criticism)

Summary

In this enlightening video on structuralism as a literary theory, we delve into its emergence in the early 20th century and focus on the underlying structures in cultural products like texts. The video highlights key figures in structuralism such as Ferdinand de Saussure, Claude Lévi-Strauss, and Vladimir Propp, examining concepts like binary oppositions, the relationship between signifier and signified, and Lang vs. parole. By understanding these elements, viewers can appreciate how they contribute to the structure and meaning of texts.

Highlights

• Structuralism emerged in the early 20th century to understand structures in texts 🌍.
• Key figures: Ferdinand de Saussure, Claude Lévi-Strauss, Vladimir Propp 👤.
• Binary oppositions help us understand concepts through contrasting elements ⚔️.
• Signifier and signified: connection between word and concept is language-based 🌐.
• Lang and parole: framework vs. actual language use 📖.
• Syntagmatic and paradigmatic relations define structural choices in language arrangements ✒️.
• Mythies in narratives reveal cultural structures and psychological patterns 🌌.
• Narrative structures in folktales by Vladimir Propp offer insights into storytelling patterns 📚.
• Synchronic and diachronic analyses provide varied approaches in structuralism research 🔄.

Key Takeaways

• Structuralism seeks universal structures in texts 📚.
• Ferdinand de Saussure is a founding figure of structuralism 🌐.
• Binary oppositions help decode meanings by contrasting elements ⚖️.
• The relationship between signifier and signified is arbitrary 🔍.
• Lang is the system of language; parole is how it's used 🗣️.
• Syntagmatic and paradigmatic relations explain element arrangements and choices in language 🔄.
• Mythies are fundamental elements of myths, teaching cultural patterns 🧩.
• Subscribe for more insights on structuralism and English literature! 🎥

Overview

Structuralism is a fascinating lens through which we can explore texts and cultural products. Emerging in the early 20th century, it aims to decode structures by examining relationships between elements within these structures. This theory proposes that such structures are universal and scientifically analyzable, offering insightful perspectives for literary criticism.

The video highlights some monumental figures like Ferdinand de Saussure, who laid foundational work in linguistics; Claude Lévi-Strauss, who applied structuralist concepts to anthropology; and Vladimir Propp, who analyzed narrative structures. Their contributions are crucial in understanding the systematic frameworks that underlie texts and stories, revealing deeper meanings in cultural contexts.

Diving into key concepts, we learn about binary oppositions, signifier vs. signified, Lang vs. parole, and syntagmatic vs. paradigmatic relations. These concepts illustrate how meanings are derived and structured, reflecting the intricacies of language and narratives. Additionally, the idea of 'mythies' and synchronic vs. diachronic analyses provide tools for uncovering the layered complexities within myths and language systems.

Chapters

• 00:00 - 00:30: Introduction to Structuralism This chapter introduces structuralism as a literary theory in English literature, highlighting its emergence in the early 20th century. Structuralism focuses on understanding the underlying structures in cultural products, such as texts, by examining the relationships between elements within those structures. It posits that these structures are universal and can be studied scientifically. The chapter also begins to discuss key figures in structuralism, starting with the Swiss theorist Ferdinand.
• 00:30 - 01:00: Main Structuralism Figures The chapter discusses key figures in the structuralism movement, starting with Ferdinand de Saussure, who laid the foundation with his theories on linguistics. Claude Lévi-Strauss is another pivotal figure who applied these ideas to anthropology. Vladimir Propp is also mentioned for his contributions, particularly regarding structural elements in storytelling. The chapter further delves into the structuralist concept of binary oppositions, emphasizing how we perceive the world through contrasting pairs of elements.
• 01:00 - 01:30: Concept of Binary Oppositions The chapter "Concept of Binary Oppositions" discusses the idea that we understand concepts through their opposites, such as good versus bad or light versus dark. These oppositions are crucial for structuring meaning. To interpret a text, it is important to identify and analyze these binary oppositions and how they interact within the literary work.
• 01:30 - 02:00: Signifier and Signified The chapter explores the relationship between the signifier and the signified, highlighting how the connection between words and their meanings is arbitrary and established through language conventions. It delves into the concepts of 'Lang' and 'Parole', where 'Lang' refers to the underlying structure or system of a language, while 'Parole' denotes the individual instances of speech or writing. By comparing the rules of grammar ('Lang') to the actual sentences spoken or written ('Parole'), the chapter illustrates the dichotomy between language as a system and its practical usage.
• 02:00 - 02:30: Lang and Parole This chapter explores the concepts of 'Lang' and 'Parole,' focusing on the dichotomy between the structured rules of grammar (Lang) and the practical application of language in use (Parole). It discusses two types of linguistic relations: syntagmatic and paradigmatic. Syntagmatic relations pertain to the linear sequence in sentence structure, while paradigmatic relations involve choices among alternative elements within the linguistic system, as illustrated by sentence examples such as 'the cat chased the mouse.'
• 02:30 - 03:00: Syntagmatic and Paradigmatic Relations The chapter discusses the idea of syntagmatic and paradigmatic relations in the context of mythic narratives. It introduces 'mythies' as the basic units or elements of these narratives, using the example of Cinderella. In this myth, the wicked stepmother, the Fairy Godmother, the glass slipper, and the prince are all mythies that contribute to the overall structure and meaning of the story. These elements reveal underlying cultural and psychological patterns. The chapter aims to elaborate on these concepts by examining the structures of narratives in folktales.
• 03:00 - 03:30: Mythic Narratives and Vladimir Propp Vladimir Propp's concept focuses on the narrative patterns and functions in folktales. Using Little Red Riding Hood as an example, Propp's narrative structure involves the heroine encountering a wolf, being deceived, and eventually rescued by a Woodsman. These recurring functions give stories their structure and meaning.
• 03:30 - 04:00: Synchronic vs. Diachronic Analyses The chapter "Synchronic vs. Diachronic Analyses" discusses the differences between synchronic and diachronic analysis. Synchronic analysis examines a language or system at a specific point in time, while diachronic analysis looks at the changes and evolution of a language or system over time. The text outlines how these approaches help in understanding the structure and meaning of narratives.

Structuralism - Main Figures & Key Concepts (Literary Criticism) Transcription

• 00:00 - 00:30 in this video we will talk briefly about some of the main Concepts and important figures in structuralism as a literary theory in English literature structuralism emerged in the early 20th century it focuses on understanding the underlying structures in cultural products like texts by looking at the relationships between elements within those structures the idea is that these structures are Universal and can be studied scientifically let's start with the key figures one the Swiss theorist Ferdinand
• 00:30 - 01:00 desur he laid the groundwork with his theories on Linguistics two Claude Ley Strauss Strauss applied structuralist ideas to anthropology three Vladimir prop he talks about the rhyme and the reason in the structure now let's dive into some of the concepts in structuralism one binary oppositions are a key Concept in structuralism we understand the world through pairs of contrasting elements
• 01:00 - 01:30 for example we understand the concept of good in relation to bad or light in relation to dark these oppositions are fundamental to how we structure meaning so to find meaning in a text we should search for these oppositions and analyze their interaction in the literary work two signifier and signified this concept refers to the relationship between a word signifier and the concept it represents signified for example the word tree signifier represents the
• 01:30 - 02:00 concept of a tall Woody plant with branches and leaves signified the relationship between the word and its meaning is arbitrary and established through language conventions three Lang and parole Lang refers to the underlying structure or system of a language parole refers to individual instances of speech or writing for instance consider the difference between the rules of grammar Lang and the actual sentences people speak speak or write parole the rules of
• 02:00 - 02:30 grammar dictate how sentences should be structured while parole involves the actual use of language by individuals four syntagmatic and paradigmatic syntagmatic relations involve the linear arrangement of elements in a sequence such as the order of words in a sentence paradigmatic relations involve the selection of one element over another within a set of Alternatives X the cat chased the mouse
• 02:30 - 03:00 this particular order and choice of words are what create meaning five mythies these are basic units or elements of Mythic narratives for example in the myth of Cinderella mythies include the wicked stepmother the Fairy Godmother the glass slipper and the prince each of these elements contributes to the overall structure and meaning of the myth revealing underlying cultural and psychological patterns to elaborate on this let's talk about Str structures of narrative in folktales by
• 03:00 - 03:30 Vladimir prop this concept refers to the underlying structure of narrative patterns and functions in folktales for example in the fairy tale Little Red Riding Hood the narrative follows a pattern of the heroin encountering a wolf being deceived by the wolf and ultimately being rescued by a Woodsman these recurring narrative functions form the rhyme and reason of the story providing a framework for understanding its structure and meaning six
• 03:30 - 04:00 synchronic versus dionic analyses synchronic analysis studies a language or system at a specific point in time dionic analysis examines the changes and evolution of a language or system over time these recurring narrative functions form the rhyme and reason of the story this provides a framework to understand its structure and meaning if you find this video useful subscribe to this channel for more content on English literature thanks for watching