Structuralism and Post Structuralism

1. Structuralism and Post Structuralism A Level Media

2. Recap • Semiotics is… • Saussure is… • The difference between the signifier and signified is…

3. Structuralism • Language relies on a shared understanding of ‘rules’. • Linguists study the structures of language. • In media texts, structuralists would claim to work out the deep structures being employed. • Eg. In a film genre structuralists would work out deep structures that give meaning to the text. • Neither the film maker or audience would necessarily be aware of these structures.

4. Narrative • Structuralists have investigated narrative using versions of binary oppositions (proposed by Strauss). • They suggest all story telling has deep structures. • Good/Evil Culture/Nature Man/Woman • A structuralist analysis of a media text will look at how tensions between these oppositions are introduced and resolved.

5. Structuralist Analysis • For example… • Titanic (1997) • The narrative of Titanic works partly by differences such as upper deck/lower deck, upper class/lower class, American/European. • We understand these oppositions through signifiers of music, dress, colour, type of character etc.

6. Narrative Structures • Vladimir Propp • Tzvetan Todorov • The idea is that the surface structure of drama has a deeper underlying resonance which helps give the audience reinforcement of our culture’s rules and expectations.

7. Media Analysis • Structuralism has informed the approach to media analysis through… 1) Narrative • We have stock characters in soap operas (the gossip, the ‘bad’ boy, the loveable rogue etc ) 2) Genre • Texts can be categorised according to characteristics they have in common.

8. Post Structuralism • Post Structuralists… • Do NOT accept the basic idea of deep structures. • Wonder what the point is in searching for meaning. • Point out we cannot be sure meaning exists in the first place. • Put emphasis on the interpretation of texts rather than the production.

9. Deconstruction • The analytical technique used by post structuralists is called deconstruction. • The intention is NOT to discover what the real meaning of a text. Deconstruction involves… • a consideration of what’s missing • foregrounding

10. Deconstruction • Eg. A deconstruction of a magazine advertisement would include a discussion on the types of people who are missing from the images. • Absences and gaps help reveal what the text is privileging. • Eg. West over East Man over Woman Science over Nature

11. Audience • Post structuralists argue that… • Without an audience, a text has no meaning. • To suggest there is meaning in a text before it is seen by an audience is ridiculous. • The text has the meaning that the audience chooses to give it. • This places the audience in a very powerful position. • They are no longer passive receivers of meaning that has been determined by a producer.

12. Structuralism The search for deep structures that are universal to all cultures. Once we have discovered the underlying characteristics of a text, we can open it up to discover its meaning. Determines HOW texts produce meaning. Post structuralism Meaning in a text is uncertain and unreliable. Texts should be analysed through deconstruction – look at what is missing/been omitted. Without an audience a text has no meaning. Recap

13. Activity • Watch the episode from Sex and the City entitled ‘Where There’s Smoke’. • Looking at the text from a structuralist view, answer the questions on your worksheet.