Strucutralism: A primer

Well now that I've introduced myself, now I'd like to establish my critical style: structuralism.

Structuralism is one of the many literary theories out there, and one that I identify most with after learning it in my Lit Theory class back in spring quarter (You rock, Prof. Edlund!).

So what is it? In a nutshell, the theory establishes that it's not just what's in the text that counts: It's the conventions of the genre, the author, and the real-world history, among other factors, that are just as important in analyzing the work in question. They act as influences in what the author took to create it. Saussure was the inventor of the theory back in the 50's in which he established the main mechanics: signified and the signifier. In layman's terms, the signified is the archetype and the signifier is an interpretation of said archetype. By comparing said interpretations against others is the heart of structuralism: see how one interpretation stacks up against another in relation to the established archetype. Another critic, Derrida, later added on another key element: said elements work in some kind of system in said work. The characters, themes, and other elements work hand in hand in some kind of system relative to the work.

Alright, enough with the dry explanation: let's use an example. This is an abbreviated version of my paper in my Lit Theory Class: a structuralist analysis of Watchmen. Yes, that Watchmen. Admittedly it's more of a character study, but hey, it works.

In comic books, there are established superhero archetypes. The most recognizable archetype is the superhuman: an alien or ordinary human with near-omnipotence that either work for or against humanity. Superman is the most recognizable superhuman, an orphaned alien from a distant planet who acquired superpowers from our sun's radiation. He works for the good of humanity as a benevolent example of the superhuman. Dr. Manhattan, however, is a ambivalent example of the superhuman. Since he's practically God in this universe, he's all-powerful and immortal. Despite that, he's still subject to human emotions such as alienation and apathy. Once he becomes alienated from humanity he abandons it and spends the rest of his days in solitude on Mars. The moment he leaves there goes our WWIII deterrent against the Russians. Russia successfully invades Pakistan and we react by readying the nukes. Sometimes what's scarier than a higher power who actively conspires against humanity is one who doesn't give a damn. At least with the former you have order: with the latter there's nothing but abject chaotic horror.

OK. That's structuralism. For my next post: a Cowboy Bebop retrospective*.

*all blog content subject to change. I do have a life, after all.