English Lit 101: Literary Criticism Poststructuralism Deconstruction Derrida Differance Trace Undecidability Binary Hierarchy Reversal Deconstructive Reading

What It Is

Poststructuralism and deconstruction are literary theories that challenge traditional notions of meaning and interpretation. Developed by philosophers like Jacques Derrida, these theories argue that meaning is not fixed or stable, but rather is constantly shifting and context-dependent. A canonical example of deconstruction can be seen in Derrida's analysis of Plato's "Phaedrus," where he argues that the traditional binary opposition between speech and writing is not as clear-cut as it seems. This matter is crucial for literary analysis because it forces readers to question the underlying assumptions and power structures that shape our understanding of texts.

Key Terms & Concepts

• Differance: The idea that meaning is not fixed, but rather is constantly deferred or put off until the next moment.
  • Example: In Derrida's "Of Grammatology," he argues that the word "difference" is constantly slipping between its written and spoken forms, illustrating the concept of differance.
• Trace: The residual or leftover elements of a sign or concept that cannot be fully erased or eliminated.
  • Example: In Plato's "Phaedrus," the written word is seen as a trace or copy of the original speech, highlighting the tension between the two.
• Undecidability: The idea that certain decisions or interpretations are impossible to make with certainty.
  • Example: In Derrida's "Margins of Philosophy," he argues that the decision between speech and writing is undecidable, as both have their own unique characteristics.
• Binary Hierarchy Reversal: The idea that traditional binary oppositions (e.g. good vs. evil, speech vs. writing) are not as clear-cut as they seem, and that the two terms are often intertwined or interdependent.
  • Example: In Derrida's "Dissemination," he argues that the traditional binary opposition between speech and writing is reversed, as writing is seen as the more powerful and dominant form.
• Deconstructive Reading: A reading strategy that seeks to uncover the underlying power structures and assumptions that shape our understanding of a text.
  • Example: In Derrida's "Glas," he engages in a deconstructive reading of Hegel's "Phenomenology of Spirit," highlighting the ways in which Hegel's text reinforces traditional binary oppositions.
• Supplement: An additional element that is added to a text or concept, but which also threatens to undermine or disrupt it.
  • Example: In Derrida's "Of Grammatology," he argues that the supplement (e.g. the footnote) is a necessary element of writing, but which also disrupts the traditional notion of a self-contained text.
• Différance: See Differance.
• Signifier: The word or symbol that represents a concept or idea.
  • Example: In Saussure's "Course in General Linguistics," he argues that the signifier (e.g. the word "dog") is a arbitrary representation of the concept or idea (e.g. the animal).
• Signified: The concept or idea that is represented by a signifier.
  • Example: In Saussure's "Course in General Linguistics," he argues that the signified (e.g. the concept of "dog") is a abstract and arbitrary representation of the thing itself.
• Sign: The combination of a signifier and a signified.
  • Example: In Saussure's "Course in General Linguistics," he argues that the sign (e.g. the word "dog") is a combination of the signifier (the word) and the signified (the concept of "dog").
• Arche-writing: The idea that writing is the original or fundamental form of language.
  • Example: In Derrida's "Of Grammatology," he argues that writing is the arche-writing, as it is the original form of language that precedes speech.

Common Misunderstandings

• Misunderstanding: Deconstruction is a rejection of meaning altogether.
• Correction: Deconstruction is not a rejection of meaning, but rather a challenge to the traditional notion of fixed or stable meaning. Deconstruction seeks to uncover the underlying power structures and assumptions that shape our understanding of a text.
• Misunderstanding: Deconstruction is a literary theory that only applies to postmodern texts.
• Correction: Deconstruction is a literary theory that can be applied to any text, regardless of its historical or stylistic context. Deconstruction seeks to uncover the underlying power structures and assumptions that shape our understanding of a text.
• Misunderstanding: Derrida's theory of differance is the same as the concept of "difference" in linguistics.
• Correction: While both concepts deal with the idea of meaning and language, differance is a unique concept developed by Derrida that refers to the constant deferral or putting off of meaning.

Quick Application / Identification

1. Identify the concept of differance in the following excerpt from Derrida's "Of Grammatology": "The word 'difference' is constantly slipping between its written and spoken forms, illustrating the concept of differance."
   • Correct answer: Differance
   • Reason: The excerpt highlights the concept of differance, which refers to the constant deferral or putting off of meaning.
2. Identify the concept of binary hierarchy reversal in the following excerpt from Derrida's "Dissemination": "The traditional binary opposition between speech and writing is reversed, as writing is seen as the more powerful and dominant form."
   • Correct answer: Binary hierarchy reversal
   • Reason: The excerpt highlights the concept of binary hierarchy reversal, which refers to the idea that traditional binary oppositions are not as clear-cut as they seem.
3. Identify the concept of deconstructive reading in the following excerpt from Derrida's "Glas": "A deconstructive reading seeks to uncover the underlying power structures and assumptions that shape our understanding of a text."
   • Correct answer: Deconstructive reading
   • Reason: The excerpt highlights the concept of deconstructive reading, which refers to a reading strategy that seeks to uncover the underlying power structures and assumptions that shape our understanding of a text.

Last-Minute Revision

• ⚠️ Derrida's theory of differance was first developed in his book "Of Grammatology" (1967).
• ⚠️ The concept of binary hierarchy reversal is central to Derrida's theory of deconstruction.
• ⚠️ Deconstruction is a literary theory that challenges traditional notions of meaning and interpretation.
• ⚠️ The concept of the supplement is central to Derrida's theory of writing.
• ⚠️ Derrida's theory of arche-writing argues that writing is the original or fundamental form of language.
• ⚠️ The concept of the signifier is central to Saussure's theory of language.
• ⚠️ The concept of the signified is central to Saussure's theory of language.
• ⚠️ The concept of the sign is central to Saussure's theory of language.
• ⚠️ Derrida's theory of deconstruction was influenced by the work of Friedrich Nietzsche.
• ⚠️ The concept of undecidability is central to Derrida's theory of deconstruction.
• ⚠️ Derrida's theory of deconstruction challenges traditional notions of truth and reality.
• ⚠️ The concept of the trace is central to Derrida's theory of writing.
• ⚠️ Derrida's theory of deconstruction was influenced by the work of Martin Heidegger.