- Get link
- X
- Other Apps
"Master Post-Structuralism in Literary Theory with this simplified guide. Explore Jacques Derrida’s Deconstruction, Foucault’s Power/Knowledge, and Barthes’ Death of the Author. Perfect for MA English and UGC NET preparation."
Post-Structuralism in Literary Theory: Meaning, Origin & Key Concepts
Introduction
In our journey through Literary Theory, we have seen how Formalism focused on the text and Structuralism focused on the system. Structuralism gave us a sense of security by saying that meaning is stable and derived from organized structures.
However, in the late 1960s, a new wave of thinking emerged that dared to pull the carpet from under Structuralism’s feet. They asked:
👉 Is meaning ever truly fixed?
👉 Is language a reliable house for truth?
This gave rise to Post-Structuralism, a theory that moves away from the "Certainty" of a center and moves toward the "Free Play" of meaning.
✨Insights: Dears, don't be afraid of the complexity of Post-Structuralism. It’s simply an invitation to stop looking for "The One True Meaning" and start enjoying the "Play" of language. If you don't understand this or want more clarity, watch my YouTube video [Link].
What is Post-Structuralism? (The Deep Analysis)
Post-Structuralism is not just a theory; it is a critique of language. It argues that language is "slippery." When you look up a word in a dictionary, it gives you another word, and that word leads to another. You never arrive at a "Final Meaning."
"There is nothing outside the text." (Le n'y a pas de hors-texte) — Jacques Derrida
Core Principles for UGC NET:
Decentering: Structuralism believed in a "Center" (like God, Truth, or the Author). Post-structuralism "decenters" the system, saying there is no single point of authority.
Infinite Interpretations: Because there is no center, a text is "Open." It can mean anything depending on the reader.
Instability of the Sign: The link between the word (Signifier) and the concept (Signified) is not fixed; it is constantly shifting.
Origin: The 1966 Turning Point
Post-structuralism officially began with Jacques Derrida’s famous lecture at Johns Hopkins University in 1966, titled "Structure, Sign, and Play in the Discourse of the Human Sciences." He challenged the "Scientific" nature of Structuralism and argued that structures are not as solid as they look.
The "Big Three" Thinkers
1. Jacques Derrida (The Deconstructionist)
Derrida is the father of Deconstruction. He believed that every text has "Aporia"—a point of internal contradiction where the text undermines its own meaning.
A Practical Example: The Dictionary Loop (Understanding Différance)
To understand Derrida’s complex idea of Différance, let’s look at a very simple, everyday tool: The Dictionary.
Imagine you want to find the "Final, Absolute Meaning" of the word "Modesty".
You open the dictionary, and it defines "Modesty" as "Decency".
But what does "Decency" mean? It says "Proper Behavior".
Now, you search for "Proper", and it points you toward "Respectable" or "Appropriate".
What is happening here? You are jumping from one word to another, but you never actually "arrive" at a final, solid meaning.
To Differ (Distinction): A word has no meaning on its own. "Red" only means "Red" because it is not "Blue."
To Defer (Postponement): Meaning is never fully "present." It is always postponed to the next word in the chain.
✨Insights: Think of Différance like a chase. Language is an endless loop where one word points to another, and the "Final Meaning" is always running away from you. It sounds chaotic, but it’s actually the beauty of literature!
2. Michel Foucault (The Historian of Power)
Foucault didn't just look at words; he looked at Discourse. He argued that Knowledge is not neutral. What we call "Truth" is actually produced by Power.
Practical Example: The "Normal" Student (Power/Knowledge)
Who decides what a "Good Student" is? The School (Power) creates a system (exams, uniforms, bells). They produce Knowledge (Reports, Grades) that says: "A student who sits silent is Normal/Good. A student who asks too many questions is abnormal." The school uses Power to create Knowledge about "Normalcy." Once you accept this, you start "policing" yourself to fit that image.
✨Insights: Foucault teaches us that "Truth" is often just a tool used by those in power. Whenever you hear "This is the only way to do things," ask yourself: Who made this rule, and how does it keep them in power?
3. Roland Barthes (The Reader’s Advocate)
Barthes moved from structuralism to post-structuralism. In his essay "The Death of the Author," he argued that the author is just a "Scriptor."
"The birth of the reader must be at the cost of the death of the Author." — Roland Barthes
📌 Key Concept: The birth of the reader must be at the cost of the death of the author.
Deep Dive into Key Concepts
Reconsidering Binary Oppositions: Structuralism loved opposite pairs (Day/Night, Nature/Culture). Post-structuralism found that they are hierarchical. Deconstruction reverses these binaries to show the "oppressed" side (e.g., Emotion over Reason) is essential.
Intertextuality: No text is an island. Every text is a "tissue of citations." A book is made up of pieces of other books and cultures. Therefore, no text is "original."
Aporia (The Dead End): Often found in UGC NET questions, Aporia is a moment when a text contradicts itself so much that the reader reaches a "dead end" of meaning.
Structuralism vs. Post-Structuralism (The Expert Comparison)
Why Students Should Care
Post-structuralism is the "Grandfather" of modern theories like Feminism, Post-Colonialism, and Queer Theory. It gives us the tools to question "Master Narratives" and look for marginalized voices.
Limitations
Critics like M.H. Abrams argues that if the meaning is "endlessly phisalne wala" (slippery), then communication becomes impossible. If a text can mean anything, does it mean nothing?
Conclusion
Post-structuralism transforms literature from a puzzle to be "solved" into a sea to be "explored." It removes the "certainty" of the teacher/author and puts the power in the hands of the reader.
✨Insights: Dears, Post-Structuralism might feel like the ground is shaking, but that's because it's teaching you to fly. Stop asking "What does the author mean?" and start asking "What does this text do to me?"
Coming Up Next: A deep dive into Jacques Derrida’s Deconstruction—unboxing the most famous theory of the 20th century. Stay tuned to ShariyaWrites!
✨ If you want to read more about English Literature, literary forms, genres, and critical approaches, stay connected with ShariyaWrites.
Disclaimer
Save this post—you’ll need to return to it regularly before exam day.
This article is written for educational purposes and is based on multiple academic sources, interpreted in the author’s own words.
About the Author
ShariyaWrites believes that literature is not a burden to memorize, but an emotion to understand. Through blogs, reels, and videos, she simplifies English Literature for students who want to connect texts with life.
🔗 Explore more here:
https://linktr.ee/shariyawrites
Comments
Post a Comment