CHAVDA KHUSHI (major 16)
CHAVDA KHUSHI TYBA SEM6 MAJOR 16 MODERN LITERARY CRITICISM • HOME ASSIGN MENT • Explain the main features of Structuralism and discuss what structuralist critics do while analysing a literary text. →Answer: Introduction Structuralism is a literary and cultural theory that studies literature as a system of signs. It developed in the 20th century and was influenced by modern linguistics, especially the ideas of Ferdinand de Saussure. Structuralists believe that meaning does not come from individual words or texts alone, but from the larger system or structure in which they exist. Instead of focusing on the author’s intention or moral message, structuralism studies patterns, structures, and codes that operate within a text. Origin and Background Structuralism began in linguistics. Saussure explained that language is a system of signs made up of: •Signifier (sound or word) •Signified (concept or meaning) He also introduced the i...