Structuralism & Semiotics
A Swiss Linguist named Ferdinand de Saussure laid down relatively simple, new ideas the to world of linguistics in the twentieth century. Considered the ‘father’ of twentieth century linguistics, Saussure, changed the literary world in a big way. Developing “Structural Linguistics” late in his career, his most impacting work went unrecognized until after his death. His theory, is only technical. It was still in the testing stage by the time he died, and it still is today. Today, while Saussure’s late work is appreciated, a lot of it remains debatable. In the wake of studying something general, Saussure managed to create two trains of thought, structuralism and semiotics. Despite the fact, that the “literary man” wants to keep this theory down, many school of thought through Europe and even more prominently in Japan, use his basis of linguistics to further their knowledge on structuralism. Structuralism is a method of critical investigation which also doubles as an ideology. Semiotics is a later developed branch of what structuralism is, but now the subject itself, encompasses structuralism. Signification(structuralism) is an occurrence, a meaningful event, or an important action taking place in the text. Most of these events have an exchange of some sort of text within the text( conundrum!) Semiotics is investigating the nature of signs and the laws driving them. In the novel Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley, the literary criticism of structuralism and semiotics can be applied. Throughout the novel, there are events that signify the use of structuralism and semiotics. According to the structuralism and semiotics in Frankenstein, the “signifiers” are the reason this novel is a tragedy.
Throughout the novel Frankenstein, we see the exchanging of texts everywhere. Even the structure of the story is an exchanging of text; the work is a series of letters. This exchanging of letters is a very important structural characteristic. Without events like the exchanging of letter, reading a book, or listening to a lecture, structuralism would not exist within this story. Quite lucky for us, it does. As a whole, outside of its letter form nature, Frankenstein, is filled with many “textual” events. Victor Frankenstein, is constantly sending and receiving letters. These letters always play a role in landmark events in the novel. For example, the letter he received from his father to announce, that his brother William had been murdered, changed the course of his life. Although arguably it is the monsters fault that he ends up going to such lengths of revenge, there is no doubt that without the letter, Victor could never have gone to his family and realize what his creation had done. Interestingly enough, the story is set up to be a series of letters from Robert Walton to his sister, the accounts of Victor’s life affected Walton, and in return, he hopes to change his sister’s. Another important signifier in this novel, were books. Victor’s life was all about studying and pursuing knowledge. When it came to books, there were mentions of them left and right. Books are what got him into natural science. Therefore making it another life changing event. Without the books in the novel, there would be no creature. The essence of this novel, tragedy and death all correlate to the very foundation of it, texts.
The texts in the novel Frankenstein, can be said to create a pattern of sorts. Structuralism, is also the patterns that symbols in signs in novels create. The use of texts in this novel create a pattern; each text enlightening its receiver These signifiers are key to carry on the tragic course of Frankenstein. The signifiers are the movers and shakers in the novel. The pattern in the novel is relatively simple; the passing of a text and then a life changing event occurs. A perfect example is when Victor sends word to Elizabeth to go into hiding, the monster ends up killing her. Rather than being a solution, the text in the novel presents a problem. Thus contributing to the tragic vision of the work. Each of these events negatively affects Victor, and end up leading to his destruction. From the very exposition of the novel, the reader is shown the power of texts. These symbol, themes, and signs are the basis for any novel. Not just Frankenstein.
Structuralism and semiotics play a major role in any novel. The use of symbols and sign are used to convey theme in any work found. In the case of Frankenstein, the reader sees that all the signifier items in the novel help present and put forth the idea of its tragic nature. Semiotics, is the reason Frankenstein, can be viewed as tragic. Works Cited
William Philips, John . "Structuralism and Semiotics." Introduction to Semiotics. 8 Dec. 2008.
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Chandler, Daniel . "Semiotics for Beginners: Intorduction." Aber UK. 3 Apr. 2005. 8 Dec. 2008. .
"Structuralism, Semiotics, Narratology." E Books. 8 Dec. 2008. .
