Structuralism And Post Structuralism Flashcards
What is the structural theory used for?
To explore the way in which audiences gain meaning from media texts
What does structuralism argue?
Argues that society, culture and media texts can be analysed as languages or signifying systems
What key thing does structuralism look for?
Look for patterns across texts rather than focusing on the individuality of a particular text.
What theories look for patterns rather than individuality?
Todorov’s theory.
Propps theory.
Genre codes.
Binary oppositions.
What are the three narrative codes by Roland Barthes?
The action code - a series of actions facilitates a viewer to follow the details of a plot sequence, enabling the viewer to become absorbed in the narrative.
The enigma code - structuring the plot sequence around a series of questions.
The symbolic code - a texts major structuring themes.
What is the Auteur theory?
Looks for patterns in the films of particular directors who are seen as the authors of their films. Particular visual style, themes, values and ideologies.
Tim Burton.
What is post structuralism?
Challenges the assumptions of structuralism. It challenges the notion that is possible to identify clear structures in texts and emphasises the arbitrary relationship between signifiers and the signified.
What theories look for arbitrary relationships?
Stuart Hall, encoding and decoding Model.
