Page 7
Semester 3: Contemporary Literary Criticism
Jacques Derrida - Structure, Sign and Play in the Discourse of Human Sciences
Jacques Derrida - Structure, Sign, and Play in the Discourse of Human Sciences
Introduction to Derrida's Thought
Derrida is a prominent figure in post-structuralism and deconstruction. His work critiques traditional structures in language and meaning, emphasizing the fluidity and instability of both.
Key Concepts
Derrida introduces terms such as structure, sign, play, and freeplay. Structure refers to the underlying frameworks of texts and systems. Sign represents the relationship between the signifier (word) and the signified (concept). Play denotes the openness and multiplicity of meaning.
Critique of Structuralism
Derrida challenges the structuralist ideas of fixed meaning. He argues that all interpretations are influenced by contextual factors, thus leading to diverse meanings rather than a singular one.
The Role of Deconstruction
Deconstruction is a method where texts are analyzed to reveal hidden assumptions and contradictions. It seeks to expose the instability of meaning, allowing for a more nuanced understanding of literature and theory.
Implications for Human Sciences
Derrida's ideas impact various fields within the human sciences, including literary criticism, philosophy, and anthropology. His emphasis on the interplay of language and meaning encourages a critical examination of established theories.
Conclusion
Derrida's insights invite a rethinking of how we engage with texts and knowledge. By embracing the ideas of structure and play, we can better appreciate the complexity of human understanding and communication.
M.H. Abrams - The Deconstructive Angel
M.H. Abrams - The Deconstructive Angel
Introduction to M.H. Abrams
M.H. Abrams was a significant figure in literary criticism and theory, known for his contributions to understanding Romanticism and the evolution of literary thought. His work highlights the tensions between various critical approaches.
Understanding Deconstruction
Deconstruction is a critical approach developed by Jacques Derrida that emphasizes the instability of meaning in texts. It challenges the idea of fixed interpretations and promotes multiple readings.
The Role of the Angel in Deconstruction
In Abrams' metaphor of the deconstructive angel, he explores the idea of a critical reader who disrupts traditional interpretations, akin to an angel that reveals deeper truths through questioning established norms.
Impact on Contemporary Literary Criticism
Abrams' exploration of deconstruction has influenced contemporary literary criticism by encouraging readers to question texts critically, examining the underlying assumptions that shape interpretations.
Key Themes in The Deconstructive Angel
Themes in Abrams' work include the interplay of text and interpretation, the fluidity of meaning, and the challenge to authority in literary criticism.
Conclusion
M.H. Abrams remains a pivotal figure in literary criticism, and his examination of deconstruction provides valuable insights into the complexities of reading and interpretation in literature.
Susan Sontag - Against Interpretation, Edward Said - Crisis in Orientalism
Susan Sontag - Against Interpretation, Edward Said - Crisis in Orientalism
Susan Sontag and Against Interpretation
Sontag argues that criticism should not be confined to interpretation. She emphasizes the importance of experience and response to art rather than analysis alone. This work critiques reductionist approaches that overly simplify the meaning of artistic works.
Key Arguments in Against Interpretation
Sontag contends that interpretation often detracts from the immediate experience of art. She suggests that art should be appreciated for its sensory and emotional qualities, rather than solely for its content or meaning.
Edward Said and Crisis in Orientalism
Said critiques Western depictions of the East, highlighting the ways in which these narratives perpetuate stereotypes. He discusses Orientalism as a lens through which the West views the East, often in a paternalistic manner.
Key Arguments in Crisis in Orientalism
Said argues that Orientalism is not just a colonization of the East's physical space but also its culture and representation. He stresses the importance of understanding these perspectives to challenge and rectify misrepresentations.
Intersection of Sontag and Said
Both Sontag and Said address the limitations of traditional criticism. Sontag's focus on experience aligns with Said's emphasis on understanding cultural representations beyond Western interpretations.
Impact on Literary Criticism
These works have profoundly influenced contemporary literary theory, encouraging critiques that transcend traditional interpretation and explore the implications of representation and experience.
Cleanth Brooks - Irony as Principle of Structure, Sigmund Freud - Creative Writers and Day Dreaming
Contemporary Literary Criticism
Irony as Principle of Structure - Cleanth Brooks
Cleanth Brooks is known for his emphasis on irony in literature. He argues that irony is not just a rhetorical device, but a fundamental principle of structure. Brooks believes that irony creates deeper meanings and complexities within texts. It allows readers to understand the contradictions in human experience, forcing them to confront the tensions between expectation and reality.
Creative Writers and Day Dreaming - Sigmund Freud
Sigmund Freud explored the psychological aspects of creativity in his work. He posited that daydreaming is an essential component of creative writing. Freud suggested that through daydreaming, writers can tap into their subconscious desires and fears. This process fosters the imagination, leading to unique literary expressions. Freud's theories connect creativity with the human psyche, highlighting the importance of introspection for writers.
Roland Barthes - From Work to Text, Terry Eagleton - Capitalism, Modernism and Post Modernism
Contemporary Literary Criticism
Barthes distinguishes between the 'work' as a physical object and 'text' as an experience.
Text emphasizes interpretation and reader engagement, while work is more static.
The shift from work to text encourages multiple meanings and interpretations.
Barthes' concept promotes the idea of the reader's role in creating meaning.
Eagleton critiques the relationship between literature and capitalist society.
He explores how modernism reflects responses to industrialization and alienation.
Postmodernism offers a reaction to modernist ideals, embracing fragmentation and irony.
Eagleton highlights the socio-economic context influencing literary movements.
Contemporary criticism navigates the interplay between text, reader, and socio-cultural context.
The role of the critic is to challenge traditional interpretations and explore new meanings.
Literary significance is often evaluated in relation to broader societal themes and concerns.
There is an ongoing debate about the impact of capitalism on artistic expression and narrative structures.
