Structuralism

 Structuralism: Structuralism is a theoretical approach in various fields, including

anthropology, linguistics, literary theory, and philosophy, that emphasizes the underlying
structures that govern human culture, language, and thought. It suggests that these
structures are universal and can be analyzed through the study of language, symbols, and
systems of meaning. Structuralism seeks to uncover the deep structures that shape human
behavior and society, often focusing on binary oppositions and the relationships between
elements within a system.
 Modernity: Modernity refers to the historical period and cultural movement that
emerged in Western Europe during the late 18th century and continued into the 20th
century. It is characterized by rapid industrialization, urbanization, technological
advancements, and changes in social, political, and cultural institutions. Modernity is
often associated with the rise of capitalism, secularism, individualism, and the belief in
progress and rationality. It marked a significant departure from traditional ways of life
and thinking.
 Modernism: Modernism is a cultural and artistic movement that emerged in the late 19th
and early 20th centuries in response to the changes and challenges of modernity.
Modernist artists, writers, and thinkers rejected traditional forms and techniques, seeking
to create new, innovative forms of expression that reflected the complexity and
fragmentation of modern life. Modernist works often explore themes of alienation,
identity, and the nature of reality, and they experiment with narrative structure, language,
and style to convey these themes.
 In summary, structuralism is a theoretical approach that focuses on underlying structures
in human culture and thought, modernity is a historical period characterized by rapid
change and progress, and modernism is a cultural and artistic movement that emerged in
response to the challenges of modernity.
 Ferdinand de Saussure:
o Contribution: Saussure is considered the father of modern linguistics and
semiotics. His work laid the foundation for structuralism, a theoretical approach
that emphasizes the underlying structures that govern human culture and thought.
 o Key Ideas: Saussure introduced the concept of the linguistic sign, which consists
of a signifier (the sound/image) and a signified (the concept or meaning). He also
distinguished between langue (the underlying system of language) and parole
(actual instances of speech).
o Influence: Saussure's ideas have had a profound impact on fields such as
linguistics, anthropology, literary theory, and philosophy, shaping the way
scholars understand language, culture, and meaning.
 Vladimir Propp:
o Contribution: Propp was a Russian folklorist who is best known for his work on
the morphology of the folktale, specifically his analysis of the structure of
Russian fairy tales.
o Key Ideas: Propp identified 31 narrative functions that he argued are present in all
fairy tales, including functions such as the villain's misdeed, the hero's reaction,
and the hero's departure.
o Influence: Propp's work has been influential in the study of narrative structure and
storytelling, providing a framework for analyzing the underlying patterns and
functions of stories across cultures.
 Joseph Campbell:
o Contribution: Campbell was an American mythologist and writer who is best
known for his work on comparative mythology and the monomyth, or "hero's
journey," a recurring narrative pattern found in myths and stories from around the
world.
o Key Ideas: Campbell's most famous book, "The Hero with a Thousand Faces,"
outlines the stages of the hero's journey, including the call to adventure, the
meeting with the mentor, the trials and challenges, and the ultimate return with
the boon.
o Influence: Campbell's ideas have had a significant impact on literature, film, and
popular culture, inspiring writers, filmmakers, and artists to incorporate the hero's
journey into their work as a way to create compelling and universal stories.
 These theorists have made important contributions to the fields of linguistics, folklore,
and mythology, providing frameworks for understanding the underlying structures and
patterns of human culture and storytelling.
 The Structure of Language: The structure of language refers to the underlying system
of rules and patterns that govern how language is organized and used. This includes
grammar, syntax, and semantics, as well as the relationships between words, sounds, and
meanings.
 Langue and Parole:
o Langue: Langue refers to the underlying system or structure of a language,
including its grammar, vocabulary, and rules. It is the abstract, systematic aspect
of language that exists independently of individual speakers.
o Parole: Parole refers to the actual use of language by speakers in concrete,
individual instances. It is the manifestation of langue in speech and writing.
 Definition of a Word: In linguistics, the definition of a word can vary depending on the
context. Generally, a word is a unit of language that carries meaning and can stand alone
or be combined with other words to form sentences.
 Narratology and its Types: Narratology is the study of narrative structures and
storytelling techniques. It examines the elements and conventions of narratives, such as
plot, character, point of view, and narrative structure. There are several types of
narratology, including:
o Structuralist Narratology: Focuses on the underlying structures and patterns of
narratives, often analyzing them in terms of binary oppositions and narrative
functions.
o Post-structuralist Narratology: Critically examines the assumptions and
limitations of structuralist approaches, emphasizing the fluidity and instability of
meaning in narratives.
o Cognitive Narratology: Explores how the human mind processes and
comprehends narratives, focusing on concepts such as mental models and
narrative comprehension strategies.
 Mythemes: Mythemes are the smallest meaningful units of myths, similar to phonemes
in language. They are recurring motifs or themes that have symbolic significance within a
mythic narrative.
 Binary Opposition: Binary opposition is a concept in structuralist theory that refers to
the idea that many aspects of human culture and cognition are based on the contrast
between two opposing concepts, such as good vs. evil, male vs. female, or nature vs.
culture.
 Narrative Functions: Narrative functions are the basic units of narrative structure, as
identified by Vladimir Propp in his analysis of folktales. These functions include actions
or events that drive the plot forward, such as the villain's misdeed, the hero's journey, and
the resolution of the conflict.