Post-Structuralism and Deconstructive: Rewrites the Rules of Interpretation

 Post-Structuralism and Deconstructive: Rewrites the Rules of Interpretation

In our previous blog, we discussed Structuralism. In this blog, we will discuss post-structuralism. I had originally planned to share both as a comparative analysis; however, at this time, I would refrain from going into too much detail. I try to make it engaging without abandoning the context. Initially, we will see the definition of Post-structuralism, key figures in the development of post-structuralism, and lastly some differences and distinctions between structuralism and post-structuralism.

Post-structuralism argues that meaning is not fixed or singular. When trying to understand a text or an event, everyone may have a different perspective, because meaning changes depending on context and the individual’s viewpoint.

For example, if you see the word “tree” in a book, it might not just mean “tree” to you. For you, that word might evoke memories of your childhood. For someone else, the tree might represent the continuity of life.

Post-structuralists suggest that meaning is never completely fixed, and texts (or conversations, images) can be analysed in layers to reveal hidden meanings. Jacques Derrida's concept of "deconstruction" involves taking a text or an idea and examining it deeply to uncover the different meanings beneath the surface.

In short, post-structuralism says:

• Meaning depends on the reader’s perspective.
• There can be many hidden meanings beyond what’s openly stated in texts or speech.
• Everyone interprets what they read or see differently because people create meaning based on their own backgrounds and contexts.

Post-structuralism is a movement of thought that emerged in the 1960s and was influenced by French structuralism. Post-structuralists argued that the meaning should 'play freely.' In other words, the meanings of texts are not fixed and definite. Each reader can interpret the text differently based on their own experiences and context. Therefore, the 'ambiguity' and 'multiple interpretations' of meanings should be accepted. Post-structuralists asserted that language and meaning are not fixed but are constantly changing and layered. For them, everything can acquire different meanings depending on the context and personal interpretation.

Roland Barthes and "The Death of the Author" (1968)

The Death of the Author: In his essay, Barthes announces the "death of the author," arguing that the meaning of a text is no longer tied to the author's intentions. The text becomes independent of the author's personal context or purpose. In this view, a text is not determined by the author’s intentions but instead is open to interpretation by the reader.

Radical Textual Independence: Barthes asserts that the text is free from constraints such as authorial intention or historical context. The meaning of a text does not have a fixed, authoritative interpretation. Instead, meanings "freely play" and vary depending on the reader’s experience and context.

The Birth of the Reader: With the death of the author, the power of meaning shifts to the reader. The reader becomes the one who creates the meaning of the text, as they interpret it based on their own experiences and understanding. This shift marks the transition from authorial control to reader-driven interpretation.

Jacques Derrida and "Structure, Sign, and Play" (1966)

Decentering: Derrida's key idea is the concept of "decentering," which challenges the idea that there is a central or fixed point of reference for understanding the world. In traditional thought, everything was centered around norms (for example, the idea that "man" is the measure of all things). Derrida argues that these central norms have been eroded, leading to a more fragmented and relative view of reality.

Destruction of Historical and Scientific Absolutes: Derrida points to events like World War I and the Holocaust, which destroyed the illusion of a stable, progressive history. Similarly, scientific discoveries like relativity have overturned absolute concepts of time and space. In the arts, modernism rejected fixed notions of harmony in music, chronological sequence in narrative, and realistic representation in art.

Free Play of Meanings: In this "decentred" universe, there are no absolutes or fixed points. Instead, meaning is in a constant state of flux and "free play." There is no single, correct interpretation, only a multiplicity of interpretations that are relative and contingent.

Deconstruction: Derrida's method of "deconstruction" involves closely analysing texts to expose contradictions and instability within them. This process reveals that texts are not unified, but fragmented, and they do not contain a single, stable meaning. Instead, they embody the fragmented and decentred universe Derrida describes.

Text and Reality: Derrida's famous statement, "There is nothing outside the text," emphasizes that reality is inseparable from language. There is no "real" world that exists outside of language, and thus, all our understanding of the world is mediated through language and text.

Post-structuralism’s key features include:

Textual Freedom: The text is independent of the author's intention; its meaning is shaped by the reader's interpretation.

Free Play of Meanings: Meanings are not fixed; they constantly shift and change based on context and reader experience.

Decentring: Traditional norms and centres of thought have been eroded, and everything is relative and contingent.

Deconstruction: Texts are fragmented and self-divided; they do not hold a singular, unified meaning.

Text and Reality: Reality is understood through language and text; there is no "real" world separate from language.

Structuralism:

Structuralism suggests that meaning is created through a regular, logical, and fixed structure. To understand a text, we need to analyse the "system" or "rules" underneath it. Structuralists believe that language operates as a system of signs, as explained by Ferdinand de Saussure.

Example: If you see the word "rose" in a story, structuralists would argue that it has a consistent meaning, usually related to "love" or "beauty." Meaning is fixed and follows certain rules within the system of language.

Post-Structuralism:

Post-structuralists disagree with the idea of fixed meaning. They argue that meaning is never stable and changes depending on the context and the individual. There can be no single, definitive interpretation of a word or text.

Example: If we think of the word "rose" again, post-structuralists would argue that it could represent not just love or beauty, but also pain, loss, or even something entirely different. Meaning changes based on the reader’s perspective, experiences, and context.

Structuralism	Post-Structuralism
Meaning is fixed and orderly.	Meaning is fluid and context-dependent.
A text has a single, unified meaning.	A text can have multiple meanings.
Meaning is found within the structure of the text.	Meaning is created by the reader and context.
Seeks a "system" or "structure" in texts.	There is no fixed system; meaning is layered and complex.
Key figures: Ferdinand de Saussure, Claude Lévi-Strauss.	Key figures: Jacques Derrida, Michel Foucault.