Structuralism and Semiotics

Published in 1977 as the first volume in the New Accents series, Structuralism and Semiotics made crucial debates in critical theory accessible to those with no prior knowledge of the field. Since then a generation of readers has used the book as an entry not only into structuralism and semiotics, but into the wide range of cultural and critical theories underpinned by these approaches. It remains the clearest introduction to some of the most important topics in modern critical theory. A new afterword and fresh suggestions for further reading complete this new edition. I. Introduction -- Vico -- Piaget -- Structuralism -- 2. Linguistics And Anthropology -- Saussure -- American Structural Linguistics -- Levi-strauss -- 3. The Structure Of Literature -- Russian Formalism: The Knight's Move -- European Structural Linguistics -- Jakobson -- Greimas -- Todorov -- Barthes -- 4. A Science Of Signs -- 5. Conclusion: New New Criticism For Old New Criticism? -- New Criticism -- New New Criticism. Terence Hawkes. Includes Index. Bibliography: P. [161]-187. Beginning with a discussion of the development of structuralism and semiotics in the fields of anthropology and linguistics this book moves on to look at the impact of these two movements on literary theory and criticism. It discusses the work of Saussure, Levi-Strauss in terms of linguistics and anthropology and then moves on to the literary theory of Jakobson, Greimas, Todorov and Barthes Intended for those with no prior knowledege of the subject, this book discuses the nature and development of structure and semiotics. It answers questions raised by the whole 'science of signs' considering what 'reading' and 'writing' involves.