Structuralism
Structuralism is a theory that examines elements of human culture against larger structures due to the belief that those cultures underlie everything humans do. Based on the work of Ferdinand de Saussure, this theory is used in sociology, anthropology, linguistics (where it originated), economics, architecture, and literature. This theory has faced much criticism, yet it has been influential to the theories (and theorists!) that followed. In literary theory, structuralism compares texts to larger structures such as genre; to other works by the same author or on the same topic; or to itself by looking at recurrent patterns or motifs. Many argue that archetypal criticism, which looks at archetypes (characters or situations that reoccur in different works and in different contexts), is based on structuralism. For example, West Side Story shares many structures and archetypes with The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet, which is why they are often analyzed together in order to find what makes each work different.
Structuralism is a theory that examines elements of human culture against larger structures due to the belief that those cultures underlie everything humans do. Based on the work of Ferdinand de Saussure, this theory is used in sociology, anthropology, linguistics (where it originated), economics, architecture, and literature. This theory has faced much criticism, yet it has been influential to the theories (and theorists!) that followed. In literary theory, structuralism compares texts to larger structures such as genre; to other works by the same author or on the same topic; or to itself by looking at recurrent patterns or motifs. Many argue that archetypal criticism, which looks at archetypes (characters or situations that reoccur in different works and in different contexts), is based on structuralism. For example, West Side Story shares many structures and archetypes with The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet, which is why they are often analyzed together in order to find what makes each work different.