The document discusses key concepts of post-structuralism, including its critique of Saussure's concept of the sign and belief in singular meaning from texts. It examines post-structuralism's critique of centers that simultaneously limit and are beyond structure, and its critique of binary oppositions that privilege one entity over another. The document also discusses Derrida's theory of deconstruction and key terms like différance, as well as his critique of metaphysics of presence and logocentrism.

1. Khushbu Lakhupota
MA Semester 3
Teacher’s Day Celebration
Department of English
M. K. Bhavnagar University

2. What is Post-Structuralism?
▪ Often considered to begin with, originate from, or equated with Derrida’s
paper “Structure, Sign and Play in the Discourse of the Human Sciences”
(1966) presented at the Johns Hopkins University.
▪ A critique of Saussure’s concept of the ‘sign’ (divisible into ‘signifier’
[the verbal, written, and/or visual marks] and ‘signified’ [the mental
concept/idea/meaning evoked by the signifier]).
▪ A critique of the belief in singular and extractable meaning
[Transcendental Signified] from [a] text(s) [New Criticism – Close
Reading] / A celebration of the plurality or ‘free play’ of signifieds or
meaning [William Empson’s Ambiguities (1930)].

3. What is Post-Structuralism?
▪ A critique of ‘centers’ that are simultaneously and paradoxically both within
and outside the structure – that is, they limit ‘free play’ within the structure
but are themselves beyond regulation [for example: God, man, language,
politicians, Prospero in The Tempest (1610-11)]
▪ A critique of binary oppositions in which the first entity is privileged or in a
position of power whereas the second entity is weak, lacks agency and is
therefore oppressed, exploited. Thus, binaries should be dismantled. For
example: [Bourgeoisie/Proletariat [Class; Capitalism]; Male/Female or
Man/Woman [Gender; Feminism]; Straight/LGBTQ [Sexuality]; White/Black
[Race], etc.] What is Post-Structuralism?

4. What is Post-Structuralism?
▪ A celebration of interpretations over extraction of meaning [signified]:
“the birth of the reader must be at the cost of the death of the Author”
(Barthes 168).
▪ A celebration of Intertextuality / A critique of or dismantling the notion
of [Romantic] Originality.

5. Derrida’s Theory of Deconstruction
Derrida, the first Post-Structuralist?
● Karl Marx [1818 – 1883] (Social Post-Structuralist)
● Friedrich Nietzsche (1844 – 1900) (Theological Post-Structuralist)
● Sigmund Freud (1856 – 1939) (Psychological Post-Structuralist)

6. Derrida’s Theory of Deconstruction
The Shaky Grounds of Language
▪ John wrote a poem on the mountains.
▪ The bark was painful.
▪ The fisherman went to the bank.

7. Derrida’s Theory of Deconstruction
● Derrida’s critique is directed at:
● Metaphysics of Presence (Heidegger) and Logocentrism (logos)
● The belief in a Transcendental Signified
● Rather, language often leads to aporia [moment(s) of hesitation or
undecidability]. In other words, language betrays itself. (Abrams and
Harpham 80-83)

8. Derrida’s Theory of Deconstruction
▪ Meaning can neither be said to be present or absent; rather there is only a
‘trace’ or free ‘play’ of meaning(s)/signified(s). For instance, Robert Frost’s
“The Road Not Taken” (1916):
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference. (Frost 131, emphasis added)

9. Derrida’s Theory of Deconstruction
● Derrida’s portmanteau term
Différance = Différer (to be different) + defer (to delay, to push back
[meaning/signifieds]) (Abrams and Harpham 82)

10. Derrida’s Theory of Deconstruction
“The center is not the center” (Derrida 108).
A history of substituting one center for another. (108)
▪ The center is simultaneously at the center of the structure [it governs
the structure and limits free ‘play’] while also being outside of the
structure [no rules apply to it] (108).
▪ For example: God; monarchs [politicians]; technology [?]

11. Derrida’s Theory of Deconstruction
Binary Oppositions
White / Black [Racism]. For instance,
▪ Langston Hughes’ “Harlem” [from Montage of a Dream Deferred (1951)]
What happens to a dream deferred?
Does it dry up
like a raisin in the sun?
Or fester like a sore –
And then run?