Literary Meaning

Question 1

Saussure - structuralism

What does Saussure say is the basis of signification?

Answer 1

‘differences carry signification’

Question 2

JL Austin - performative utterances

Answer 2

Suggests that words (as utterances) do not just describe or communicate reality as it is, but reather themselves are agents in the changing of this reality

Question 3

Roman Jakobson - structralism

What are the two elements of symbolic processes, and how do they interact?

Answer 3

Any ‘symbolic process’ is a ‘competition’ between ‘metonymic’ and ‘metaphoric’ elements
Metonymy - difference
Metaphor - similarity
[Makes this distinction by observing linguistic impediments]
This ‘bipolar’ structure does NOT just underlie language, but ALL human behaviour [cp Lakoff and Johnson]

Question 4

Lakoff and Johnson

Answer 4

Metaphors we live by - conceptual metaphors, we understand our world by metaphors

Question 5

ED Hirsch

Answer 5

Meaning is distinct from significance
Meaning is ‘fixed and immutable’, whereas significance varies
Academic significance should focus upon meaning NOT significance

Question 6

What are the implications of Roman Jakobson’s theory beyond language?

Answer 6

the ‘bipolar’ structure of metaphor/metonymy applies not just to language, but to all human behaviour

Question 7

What does ED Hirsch say that meaning derives its identity from?

Answer 7

‘meaning derives its self-identity from an histoircal intention’

Question 8

How does ED Hirsch later change his view?

Answer 8

Suggests that in ‘application’ of a text to later lives/audiences, the ‘wide cope of original textual intention’ means that ‘meaning-intention’ is not changed but rather ‘instantiated and fulfilled’
It is ‘the nature of textual meaning to embrace many future fulfilment without thereby being changed’
Emphasises the ‘provisionality’ of speech and meaning - which ‘sanctions adjustment in the original concepts’ intended