Saussurean linguistics revolutionized our understanding of language. It introduced the concept of linguistic signs, consisting of signifiers and signifieds, and emphasized the arbitrary nature of their relationship. This laid the foundation for structuralist approaches to language and meaning.

Structuralist literary theory applied Saussure's ideas to literature. It analyzed texts as systems of signs, focusing on relationships between elements and underlying structures. This approach shifted attention from authorial intent to the text's internal organization and the reader's role in creating meaning.

Saussurean Linguistics

Components of linguistic signs

• Linguistic sign fundamental unit of language consists of two inseparable components: signifier and signified
• Signifier form or sound-image of linguistic sign material aspect (spoken or written word)
• Signified concept or meaning associated with signifier mental representation or idea signifier refers to
• Relationship between signifier and signified arbitrary no inherent or natural connection between form and meaning (words "dog" and "chien" refer to same animal in English and French)

Principles of linguistic structuralism

• Language system of signs defined by relations to one another signs acquire value through differences and oppositions within system
• Arbitrary nature of linguistic sign connection between signifier and signified not motivated by natural or inherent link different languages have different signifiers for same signified (words "tree," "arbre," and "Baum" in English, French, and German)
• Relational value of linguistic elements meaning of sign determined by relationship to other signs in system signs defined by differences and oppositions rather than positive content (word "cat" defined by contrast with "dog," "bird," etc.)
• Language synchronic system should be studied as static, self-contained system at given point in time diachronic changes (historical developments) secondary to synchronic structure

Structuralist Literary Theory

Saussurean analysis in literature

• Literary texts analyzed as systems of signs elements of text (words, characters, themes) treated as signs with signifiers and signifieds
• Meaning of literary text emerges from relationships and oppositions between elements characters, themes, and motifs defined by differences and contrasts within text's structure (protagonist vs. antagonist, good vs. evil)
• Underlying structure of text more important than surface meaning structuralist analysis seeks to uncover deep, underlying patterns and relationships that generate meaning
• Binary oppositions key tool in structuralist literary analysis texts often organized around fundamental binary oppositions (life/death, nature/culture) oppositions help structure text and generate meaning

Saussure's influence on structuralism

• Saussure's linguistic structuralism provided model for analyzing other cultural systems, including literature principles of linguistic sign and relational value of elements applied to literary texts
• Structuralist literary theorists aimed to uncover underlying structures and patterns that govern production of meaning in texts focused on system of text rather than historical or authorial context
• Key figures in structuralist literary theory (Roland Barthes, Claude Lévi-Strauss) adapted Saussurean concepts to analysis of literature Barthes applied notion of linguistic sign to theory of "readerly" and "writerly" text Lévi-Strauss used principles of linguistic structuralism to analyze underlying structures of myths and folktales
• Structuralist literary theory emphasized autonomy of text and role of reader in production of meaning author's intention and historical context considered less important than internal structure of text and reader's interaction with it