Structuralism Literary Theory

Structuralism is an approach or methodology that analyzes elements of human culture in terms of their relationship to larger and redundant structures or systems. The theory of literary structuralism is based on the assumption that all literary works have an underlying universal structure and that general conclusion about the relevant work and the system from which it emerges can be formed by linking these underlying patterns. This universal structure in each text allows experienced readers to interpret the text more easily, than inexperienced readers. Thus, structuralism analyzes the linguistic units in a text, the structure of the text underlying the universal, and examines how writers convey meaning through structure.

Structuralists associate literary texts with larger structures. This larger structure can refer to a series of relationships between texts, certain genres, repetitive patterns or motifs. There are many similarities between structuralism and similarities with archetypal criticism, which analyzes the text by focusing on repetitive archetypes in plot, characterization, and other elements.

The foundation of structuralism were the linguistic theories of Swiss linguist Ferdinand de Saussure who look language to be a system of sign and signification and the elements are understandable in relation to each other. Structuralist believe that if you want to make sense of something you will have to understand it in a structure. For example; if sofa is place in the classroom then it will look weird and it not following the structure.  In literary theory, the view that a work of literature reflects a reality was challenged by structuralism, it rather urged that the text was made of linguistic conventions and placed (situated) among other texts. For example: if we want to understand want to understand the novel “Pride and Prejudice” then one have to look for other text to understand why this thing is like that.

Structuralism Analysis Weaknesses 

The biggest weakness of structuralism is its synchronic nature. A literary work is considered as a world apart from other worlds. In fact, a literary work is a mirror of its era. That is, the literary work produced by an author at a certain time is a description of the conditions of life that exist in that period. It contains a description of the social, political, economic and cultural situation of that period. Structuralism ignores all that. Structuralism is only "playing" with the building form of a literary work. Historical aspects of a literary work are not justified to be used as a reference in conducting analysis. It can be understood if the theory of structuralism is positioned as an a-historical literary theory. An author does not write in an empty space. He writes in a space that is full of life's problems. These problems certainly affect the mind of the author when making his essay. This condition is ignored by the theory of structuralism.

Key Differences between Structuralism vs Formalism

Structuralism and formalism are two literary theories that focus on the structure of a particular text. Structuralism is based on the assumption that every text has a universal fundamental structure. Formalism analyzes the structure of a text without focusing on external factors such as authorship, social and cultural influences. However, structuralism associates the work of a particular author with the work of a similar structure whereas formalism only analyzes one particular work at a time. This is the main difference between structuralism and formalism. 

      Function:

• Structuralism analyzes the underlying universal structure in the text.
• Formalism analyzes genre, mode, form and discourse while rejecting bibliographic, cultural, historical and social contexts.
• Structuralism analyzes the relationship of a text with other literary works because it studies common basic structures.
• Formalism only analyzes one particular literary work at a time; it is not compared with other works.