Maharani shree nandkuvrba mahila arts and commerce College
Name:- kapdi Hitakshi shivrambhai
Sub:- English
Sem :- T.Y. B.A. sem:- 6
Paper name:- Modern literary criticism
Topic name:- 1. scope of structuralism
2. Feminism and feminist. criticism
3. "That long silence "novel
Criticism
Teacher name:- Rachana ma'am
1.class assignment
Scope of Structuralism
Structuralism is an important intellectual movement of the twentieth century that studies the underlying structures which govern language, literature, culture, and society. It developed mainly from the linguistic theories of Ferdinand de Saussure, especially presented in his book Course in General Linguistics. Structuralism believes that meaning does not exist independently but is produced through relationships within a system. The scope of structuralism is very wide because it has influenced many branches of knowledge.
1. Scope in Linguistics
Structuralism began in linguistics. Saussure explained that language is a structured system of signs. He introduced important concepts such as langue (the system of language) and parole (individual speech), and signifier and signified. According to structuralism, meaning is created not by individual words alone but by their differences and relationships within the system.
Structural linguistics studies phonology, morphology, and syntax as parts of a structured whole. It tries to understand how language functions as a system rather than focusing only on historical development. Thus, the scope of structuralism in linguistics includes the scientific study of language structure and communication.
2. Scope in Literary Criticism
Structuralism greatly influenced literary criticism. Instead of studying the author’s life or historical background, structuralists analyze the internal structure of the text. They focus on narrative patterns, plot construction, binary oppositions, themes, symbols, and character roles.
Critics like Roland Barthes and Jonathan Culler applied structuralist methods to literature. They studied how meaning in a text is produced through codes, conventions, and structures shared by readers and writers. Structuralism also influenced narratology, the study of narrative structures in novels, myths, and folktales.
3. Scope in Anthropology
Structuralism expanded into anthropology through the work of Claude Lévi-Strauss in his book Structural Anthropology. He applied linguistic models to the study of myths, kinship systems, and tribal customs.
He believed that human cultures share universal mental structures. For example, many myths are based on binary oppositions such as life/death, nature/culture, and good/evil. The scope of structuralism in anthropology is to discover these hidden universal patterns behind cultural practices.
4. Scope in Semiotics
Semiotics, the study of signs and symbols, is another important area of structuralism. Structuralists analyze how signs function in media, advertisements, films, fashion, and popular culture. Roland Barthes’ Mythologies shows how ordinary objects and images carry deeper cultural meanings.
Thus, structuralism helps us understand how society creates meaning through systems of signs beyond language.
5. Scope in Sociology and Psychology
Structuralism also influenced sociology and psychology. It studies social institutions, family systems, and cultural norms as structured systems. In psychology, it examines the mental structures that shape human thought and behavior. The aim is to identify universal patterns that organize human experience.
6. Scope in Philosophy and Cultural Studies
Structuralism questions the idea of individual freedom and originality. It argues that individuals are shaped by larger structures such as language and culture. This idea later influenced post-structuralism and modern cultural studies.
Conclusion
The scope of structuralism is vast and interdisciplinary. It covers linguistics, literary criticism, anthropology, semiotics, sociology, psychology, philosophy, and cultural studies. Structuralism attempts to uncover the deep structures that shape human thought, language, and culture. By focusing on systems and relationships rather than isolated elements, it provides a scientific and systematic method for analyzing human activities and expressions
2. Home assignment
Feminism and Feminist Criticism
Introduction
Feminism is a social, political, and literary movement that advocates equality between men and women. It challenges the discrimination, oppression, and marginalization of women in society. Feminist criticism is a branch of literary criticism that studies literature from a feminist perspective. It examines how women are represented in texts and how gender roles influence writing and interpretation.
Feminism
Feminism began as a movement demanding equal rights for women, such as education, property rights, and voting rights. Over time, it developed into a broader theory that questions patriarchy (male dominance) and gender inequality in all areas of life.
Waves of Feminism
First Wave (19th–early 20th century):
Focused on legal rights, especially women’s suffrage (right to vote).
Second Wave (1960s–1980s):
Focused on social and cultural inequalities such as workplace discrimination, reproductive rights, and family roles. Important works include The Second Sex by Simone de Beauvoir.
Third Wave (1990s onwards):
Focused on diversity, identity, race, and class along with gender.
Fourth Wave (21st century):
Emphasizes digital activism, gender justice, and fighting sexual harassment.
Feminist Criticism
Feminist criticism developed as a response to male-dominated literary traditions. It questions how literature reflects or reinforces gender inequality.
Main Aims of Feminist Criticism
To analyze how women are portrayed in literature.
To recover and promote works written by women writers.
To expose patriarchal values in literary texts.
To reinterpret classical texts from a female perspective.
Major Feminist Critics
Virginia Woolf – In A Room of One's Own, she argues that women need financial independence and personal space to write.
Elaine Showalter – Developed the concept of “gynocriticism,” which studies women as writers.
Kate Millett – In Sexual Politics, she analyzes how literature reflects male dominance.
Types of Feminist Criticism
Liberal Feminism: Focuses on equal rights and opportunities.
Radical Feminism: Challenges patriarchy as the root of women’s oppression.
Marxist Feminism: Connects women’s oppression to capitalism and class struggle.
Psychoanalytic Feminism: Studies female identity through psychological theories.
Postmodern Feminism: Questions fixed ideas about gender and identity.
Conclusion
Feminism is a powerful movement that seeks gender equality and social justice. Feminist criticism applies feminist ideas to literature and examines how texts represent women and gender relations. It has expanded the scope of literary studies by giving voice to women writers and challenging traditional male-centered interpretations.
3. Essay
A Feminist Criticism on the novel "That long silence"
Introduction
That Long Silence is one of the most important feminist novels in Indian English literature. The novel presents the inner conflict of Jaya, a middle-class educated woman who struggles between her personal identity and her role as a wife and mother. Through Jaya’s silence and self-reflection, Shashi Deshpande exposes the deep-rooted patriarchy in Indian society. From a feminist perspective, the novel highlights how women are conditioned to suppress their desires and individuality.
1. Patriarchy and Female Subordination
The novel clearly shows how patriarchy controls a woman’s life. Jaya’s husband Mohan represents traditional male authority. He expects Jaya to be a “good wife” who obeys him and maintains family harmony. Jaya is taught from childhood that a woman’s duty is to adjust, sacrifice, and remain silent.
Feminist criticism points out that Jaya’s life is shaped not by her own choices but by social expectations. Her marriage becomes a symbol of female suppression, where her identity is reduced to being “Mohan’s wife.”
2. The Symbol of Silence
Silence is the central theme of the novel. Jaya remains silent for seventeen years of her marriage to avoid conflict. This silence represents the condition of many women in patriarchal society who suppress their feelings to maintain peace.
From a feminist viewpoint, silence is both a tool of oppression and a form of resistance. At first, Jaya’s silence shows her helplessness. But as the novel progresses, she begins to question this silence and realizes that speaking out is necessary for self-identity. The “long silence” symbolizes generations of women who have been denied a voice.
3. Identity Crisis and Self-Realization
Jaya is an educated and talented writer, yet she gives up her creative identity to please her husband. Mohan dislikes her bold writing, so she changes her style to suit his expectations. Feminist criticism highlights how marriage forces women to sacrifice their ambitions.
Throughout the novel, Jaya undergoes self-examination. She realizes that she has contributed to her own silence by accepting social norms. Her journey becomes one of self-awareness and awakening.
4. Gender Roles and Double Standards
The novel exposes the double standards in society. Men are allowed to be ambitious and expressive, while women are expected to be patient and self-sacrificing. Mohan fears social disgrace when he faces a professional crisis, but he never considers Jaya’s emotional struggles.
Feminist critics argue that Deshpande realistically portrays the emotional isolation of middle-class housewives. The domestic space, which is supposed to provide security, becomes a place of confinement for Jaya.
5. Women’s Search for Voice
By the end of the novel, Jaya decides to break her silence. Though she does not openly rebel, she mentally prepares herself to speak and assert her identity. Feminist criticism sees this as a step toward empowerment. The novel does not show dramatic revolution but emphasizes inner strength and self-realization.
Conclusion
From a feminist perspective, That Long Silence is a powerful critique of patriarchal society. It presents the emotional suffering, identity crisis, and silent resistance of an Indian woman. Shashi Deshpande does not portray women as weak victims but as individuals capable of introspection and change. The novel ultimately stresses the importance of voice, self-identity, and equality in marriage and society.
Reference:-
1. Scope of Structuralism
Course in General Linguistics – Ferdinand de Saussure
Structural Anthropology – Claude Lévi-Strauss
Structuralism and Semiotics – Terence Hawkes
2. Feminism and Feminist Criticism
The Second Sex – Simone de Beauvoir
A Room of One's Own – Virginia Woolf
Sexual Politics – Kate Millett
3. That Long Silence – Feminist Criticism
That Long Silence – Shashi Deshpande
A Literature of Their Own – Elaine
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