Student Question

What key elements should I look for in a poem when analyzing it using either liberal humanism, structuralism, post-structuralism, deconstruction, or postmodernism?

Quick answer:

When analyzing a poem, structuralism focuses on linguistic structures, such as the contrast between langue (language system) and parole (individual instances). Consider metrical patterns as langue and specific rhythms as parole. Deconstruction involves identifying binary oppositions like rich vs. poor or good vs. evil, then demonstrating their interdependence or subversion. Liberal humanism isn't a distinct theory, while poststructuralism and postmodernism often overlap with deconstruction as a method of analysis.

Expert Answers

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This is a somewhat difficult assignment as liberal humanism isn’t a literary theory per se, poststructuralism and postmodernism are terms used interchangeably, and deconstruction is a type of postmodernist literary theory. Your best choices are probably structuralism and deconstruction.

A common form of structuralist analysis of poetry is based on the linguistic theories of Ferdinand de Saussure, which emphasize the contrast between langue (linguistic structure) and parole (specific instances of language). You can analyse a poem by look at metrical as langue and the specific rhythm of the poem, and its relation to the putative meter as parole.

Deconstructive criticism is a good choice because it is very formulaic. Look for an obvious binary opposition in the theme of the poem – poor vs. rich, nature vs. civilization, light vs. dark, good vs. evil – and show that (1) the tow are not really opposed by interdependent and/or (2) the writer is being subversive by taking the one of the pair normally considered bad and showing how it is really good (e.g. arguing that Satan is good in Milton, that Hardy’s `Ruined Maid` is  an ideal, etc.


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