Structuralism and Post

Structuralism
A Level Media

Recap
Semiotics is
Saussure is
The difference between the signifier and

signified is

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.

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.

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.

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 cultures rules and
expectations.

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.

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.

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 whats missing
foregrounding

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

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.

Recap
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.

Activity
Watch the episode from

Sex and the City

entitled Where Theres Smoke.

Looking at the text from a

structuralist
view, answer the questions on your
worksheet.