Jonathan Culler's 1975 book Structuralist Poetics explores using linguistics to analyze literature by examining the conventions readers use to understand works. While it is impossible to establish rules governing writing, Culler argues conventions underlie readers' interpretations. His later books Pursuit of Signs and Framing the Sign develop this, examining how readers' underlying linguistic and cultural competencies inform their interpretations without considering ideology. Literary Theory introduces structuralism as studying unconscious structures in language, psyche and society, rather than seeking meaning or interpretation but how works can have the meanings they already have.

1. Structuralist Poetics of
Jonathan Culler
Literary Criticism by David Carter Pg. 53
Explained by Haleh Esmailian
English Literature M.A. Student
University of Tabriz, Iran

2. David Cullar
Books:
1. Structuralist Poetics 1975
2. The pursuit of Signs 1981
3. Framing the Sign 1988
4. Literary Theory 1997

3. Overview of Structuralist Poetics:
Took as his premise→ Linguistics for analysis of Literature
Explores the “conventions” used by readers to understand Literature
Impossible to establish rules that govern Writing
Where is
Structure? Underlies Readers’
interpretation

4. Overview of Pursuit of Signs
01
Reader → looks for Unity.
so→ Uses Interpretive conventions + adds new Models of interpretation
to text
02 In this book→ No Consideration of Readers’ Ideology on perception of meaning.
03 Uses Chomsky’s notion of ‘underlying Competence’ in the reader.

5. What is Chomsky’s Underlying Competence
Underlying Competence→
Readers’ Original Knowledge
Linguistic Competence→ understanding
speaking and listening
Literary Competence→ interpreting a
Literary Text

6. Literary Competence in
a Reader comes from:
Educational &
Institutional Sources
e.g → Religion
→ Society
→ University

7. Overview of Framing the Sign:
In this book Culler explores roots of:
Institutional & Educational
basis for→
The Literary Competence

8. Overview of Literary Theory (an Introduction)
1. Structuralism→ Studies Structures that are operating UNCONSCIOUSLY
(structure of language & psyche & society)
1. Structuralism→ NOT seeking meaning establishment / interpretation production
2. Structuralism→ HOW Literary works CAN HAVE what they already HAVE
Regarding the meaning
The End !