Structuralism - Definitions or Good Sources?

"Structuralism" evades me. I'm a lit student (just about to enter the 'meat' of the degree this fall), and so far, in a few classes, we've discussed structuralism and have been assigned some readings on it. However, I can't seem to form a concrete conception of what it "is" - both in general, and in regards to analyzing a text. Bits and pieces are just floating around in abstraction in my mind, even though I understand structuralism itself is abstract.

Would anybody be able to help enlighten me, or even point me to any comprehensive articles/readings you may know of?

Thanks!

You might try to search on google. Personally, I think that "structuralism" is simpler than most of the theoretical stances that one can take, but I can see how it might be hard to apply to literature. But it is essentially a belief that human thinking, society, etc. is derived from biological processes that were impressed on humans through evolution.

I just looked at that google search, and I saw how someone could become confused. You might want to look at the works Claude Lévi-Strauss, whom I thought made a lot of sense. Most of the other French thinkers who are mentioned in this and related schools of philospohy are more into using lots of words than in putting much meaning ii.

I'll post something later if I have got time.

If you are starting to study theory you want to get a good starter book, Peter Barry's Beginning Theory is a little gem.

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Originally Posted by Neely

I'll post something later if I have got time.

If you are starting to study theory you want to get a good starter book, Peter Barry's Beginning Theory is a little gem.

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I second that. Barry's text proved invaluable during my university years.

I did essay about structuralism while I was student... Unfortunately it's not on english language... but my favourite resource was book of Jonathan Culler - Structuralist Poetics.

I think it's the most in depth view of what structuralism is. I suggest reading it. There you will have "structuralism in practice in literature" on few examples, novel and poetry.

Or maybe you can do research on google about Culler novel structuralism, etc. I hope it will be helpful.

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Originally Posted by janesmith

I second that. Barry's text proved invaluable during my university years.

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I third it. Not only does it explain all the theories (structuralism being the least of your worries!), it gives clear examples of theoretical readings of well-known texts.

Thank you so much - I will absolutely look into Barry. Mudfoot, I've been given select chapters out of Culler's text too and it brought me the closest I have been up to this point at comprehending the concepts he presented - I think the full book warrants a read!

Thanks again.

I think Structuralism intends to explain that all structures of literature have the same themes .For example, Claude Levi-Strauss, who studied myth, pointed out that myth has the same origin among all literature of the world. Furthermore, structuralists were influenced by Saussure-who studied language-and showed that small parts connected with each other can give us Language. Structuralists took that idea and applied to literature--explaining that literary parts do not mean anything alone, but we have to apply a rule to connect them and form literature in the end. In other words, Structuralism is a scientific approach to look to literature.

I studied literary theories before, and the above were my notes!