Structuralist Theory

Full Answer Section

    Structuralism:

• Emphasizes the underlying structures and patterns that shape the text, drawing parallels to language and other systems.
• Views meaning as arising from the relationships between elements within the text, not inherent in individual words or phrases.
• Focuses on uncovering the broader cultural and societal codes reflected in the text.

Reader-Response:

• Shifts the focus to the reader's experience and active participation in constructing meaning.
• Recognizes that different readers bring their own cultural backgrounds, experiences, and biases to the text, resulting in multiple interpretations.
• Emphasizes the dynamic interaction between the text and the reader in creating meaning.

Similarities and Differences:

• Similarities:All three theories emphasize the importance of careful analysis and close reading. They move away from biographical or historical contextualization to focus on the text itself.
• Differences:
  • New Criticism vs. Structuralism:Both prioritize the text itself, but New Criticism seeks "universal" meaning, while Structuralism looks at broader cultural codes.
  • Reader-Response vs. Both:Reader-Response breaks free from the text-centered approach, focusing on the dynamic between the reader and the text.

Conclusion: Ultimately, Reader-Response theory stands as the furthest away from both New Criticism and Structuralism due to its emphasis on the reader's experience and construction of meaning. However, depending on your specific interpretation of Structuralism and the emphasis you place on its consideration of cultural codes, it could be argued to share some common ground with Reader-Response in acknowledging the influence of external factors on meaning-making.  

Sample Answer

   

While both New Criticism and Structuralism focus on analyzing the text itself, they differ in their approach and assumptions, making it difficult to say definitively which one is closer to Reader-Response theory. Here's a breakdown:

New Criticism:

• Focuses on close reading and identifying internal structures like imagery, symbolism, and irony within the text itself.
• Considers the text as an autonomous object, independent of the author's intention or the reader's interpretation.