Deconstruction theory

Deconstruction theory, a prominent intellectual movement in the realm of literary and
philosophical analysis, challenges conventional perceptions of language, meaning, and

interpretation. Coined by the French philosopher Jacques Derrida in the mid-20th century,
deconstruction seeks to expose the intricate layers of hidden assumptions embedded within texts,
ultimately deconstructing and redefining our understanding of reality.
In philosophy, deconstruction is a loosely-defined set of approaches to understanding the
relationship between text and meaning. The concept of deconstruction was introduced by the
philosopher Jacques Derrida, who described it as a turn away from Platonism's ideas of
"true" forms and essences which are valued above appearances
At its core, deconstruction resists the notion of a fixed or singular meaning within a text. Instead,
it suggests that every text harbors a multiplicity of interpretations, and the process of
deconstruction involves unpacking these varied layers to expose underlying contradictions and
complexities. Derrida famously stated, "There is no outside-text," highlighting that meaning is
not isolated within the words on a page but is entangled in a web of language, culture, history,
and individual perspectives.
Deconstruction challenges the traditional binary oppositions that structure language and thought,
such as presence/absence, speech/writing, and reality/appearance. By blurring these boundaries,
deconstruction reveals the instability of language and the inherent play of differences that
constitute meaning. This notion is exemplified in Derrida's examination of the concept of
"différance," a portmanteau of "difference" and "deferment," which illustrates how meaning is
both deferred and differentiated, leading to an endless chain of signification.
One of the fundamental aspects of deconstruction is its emphasis on the interplay between what
is said (the explicit content) and what is unsaid (the implicit assumptions). Deconstructionists
examine how language often relies on hierarchical structures and binary oppositions, which can
marginalize certain viewpoints or reinforce power dynamics. Through deconstruction, these
biases are exposed, challenging the prevailing norms and inviting a more inclusive and nuanced
understanding.
Deconstruction theory has far-reaching implications beyond the realm of literature. It has
influenced fields such as philosophy, linguistics, architecture, and cultural studies. In
architecture, for instance, the idea of deconstruction is manifested in buildings that challenge
traditional forms, embracing fragmentation and disintegration as a statement against uniformity.
Critics of deconstruction argue that its rejection of fixed meaning can lead to relativism and the
undermining of objective truths. However, proponents contend that deconstruction does not
dismiss meaning altogether but rather highlights the fluid and dynamic nature of interpretation.
In conclusion, deconstruction theory is a thought-provoking intellectual movement that
challenges our assumptions about language, meaning, and reality. By unraveling the complexities
inherent in texts, deconstructionists invite us to question, explore, and engage with the
multifaceted layers of human expression. As we navigate a world of shifting perspectives and
evolving paradigms, deconstruction remains a powerful tool for uncovering the intricate tapestry
of language that shapes our understanding of the world
Deconstruction (Explanation)
These days, we keep our eyes peeled for celebrity feuds and occasional spats between politicians.
Did you ever think this would also happen between philosophers and thinkers? Despite the
'highbrow' nature of philosophy, the intellectual community often falls into different blocs on
different ideas. Jacques Derrida's (1930–2004) theory of deconstruction was one like that.
Highbrow: related to serious and complex ideas and arts considered superior as opposed to
popular culture.
The theory of deconstruction has subsequently influenced different branches of humanities and
even science and mathematics. Deconstruction theory remains one of the defining ideas of
postmodern philosophy. Deconstructionism in literature is now a widely used methodology in
literary criticism.
Deconstruction: Theory
Derrida's concept of deconstruction is based on the concept of Zerstörung or destruktion by the
German philosopher Martin Heidegger (1889–1976). Deconstruction was initially a
philosophical proposition but gained a foothold in literary analysis and the interpretation of texts
in religion, law, and several other social institutions. Today, the term 'deconstruction' is used in
mathematics and even gastronomy.
Origins of deconstruction can be found in Derrida's books Writing and Difference (1967) and Of
Grammatology (1967) and the lecture titled 'Structure, Sign, and Play in the Discourse of the
Human Sciences' which Derrida gave at Johns Hopkins University in a 1966 symposium.
Before we delve into the meaning of deconstruction, here are some key terms that will make
understanding deconstruction slightly easier!
Formalism is a critical approach that focuses on the form of a text instead of its content and its
relationship to the outside world.
Structuralism was a broader philosophy and critical approach that emerged in the early 20th
century. In literary theory, structuralism focused on the structural and linguistic aspects of a text
rather than what it represented.
Binary oppositions are two concepts that are set as opposites of each other. For example, light
and dark, man and woman, and nature and culture.
Hierarchy is a system in which things or people are organised into different levels based on their
status or importance.
Deconstruction relies on concepts of structural linguistics.
Structural linguistics is a branch of linguistics that treats language as a system of
interconnected units.
Semiotics is the study of how meaning is generated during the process of communication.
A sign is the basic unit of communication that refers to anything (word, image, or symbol) that
carries a meaning. In structural linguistics, the sign is made of a 'signifier' and a 'signified'.
A signifier is a verbal or graphic symbol or code that represents an idea or an object. For
example, a word or an image.
Signified is the object or concept the signifier tries to represent.

Derrida identified that Western thinking is premised on or dominated by certain concepts, such as
these:
Phonocentrism is the idea that speech or sound is superior to the written word.
Logocentrism (derived from the Greek word 'logos' which means word or reason) refers to the
inclination in Western thought to privilege the word over what it stands for.
Phallogocentrism is a new word created by Derrida to describe the tendency to privilege
masculinity in the understanding of society and meaning.
Metaphysics is a branch of physics that studies the nature of reality and the relationship between
different aspects of life, such as knowledge, perception, identity, existence, and time.
Now that we have the basics down let's delve into the concept of deconstruction.
Deconstruction: Meaning
Derridean deconstruction is sometimes described as bringing a literary approach to philosophy, a
way of reading philosophical texts like literature, using methods of literary analysis. Irrespective
of how accurate this view of deconstruction is, Derrida is now a prominent figure in literary
analysis and criticism itself.
Bear in mind that the idea of deconstruction itself is open to interpretation, and scholars define it
in different ways. In many cases, a definition of deconstruction is an approximation owing to the
difficulty of comprehension of Derrida's writing.
The theory of deconstruction is based on Derrida's analysis of Western philosophy which he
argued was rooted in phallogocentrism. It emerged primarily as a critique of structuralism,
especially the work of Claude Levi Strauss (1908–2009). Derrida challenged the theory of binary
opposites by arguing that contrary to neutral, the relationship between the two opposites was
hierarchical in which one becomes subordinate to the other.
In popular conception, light and dark are opposites. But when you think about it some more, not
only are they opposites, light is favoured over the other as better.
Deconstruction, as the name suggests, seeks to pick these intricate connections and presumptions
apart through close analysis. Critics and philosophers like Paul de Man (1919–1983) and
Geoffrey Hartman (1929–2016) are other notable deconstructionists.
Characteristics of Deconstruction
Central to the theory of deconstruction is the new concept of différance. As is often the case with
Derrida, he coined this term based on the French term différence by misspelling the word.
Ferdinand de Saussure was a Swiss linguist who introduced the idea that language is a system of
signs in which meaning is generated through difference.
Différance
Derrida intended the concept of différance to demonstrate the limits of phonocentrism. Derrida
developed Saussure's concept of sign, only to open up new questions about the way meaning is
created and the concept of difference itself. The term différance simultaneously refers to
the difference and deferral of meaning. In fact, Derrida describes the concept as an infinite
series in the chain of signification.
The term différance sounds exactly the same in French as différence. The two terms are
indistinct in speech and can only be differentiated in writing. Thus, Derrida's
term différance showcases the complexity of the relationship between speech and sound, and the
concept of difference Saussurean linguistics is based on.
Deconstruction is regarded as a poststructuralist and postmodernist theory. Derrida did not

subscribe to these labels.
Deconstruction: Examples
In every application in arts or culture, deconstruction symbolises the lack of inherent and definite
meaning. It is not easy to present examples of deconstruction itself as it can only be presented as
an analysis of texts.
Feminism
Feminism adopted deconstruction to dismantle the cultural assumptions surrounding gender.
Feminist writers used it to challenge the dominance and presumed superiority of the masculine.
The binary opposition 'man/woman' is now commonly referred to as the gender binary and has
been challenged by scholars of gender studies. Feminist literary criticism often uses the
deconstructionist approach to analyse literary texts.
Deconstructivism
Deconstructivism is a form of contemporary architecture that started gaining popularity in the
1990s. Deconstructivist architecture defies conventional architecture to create buildings that
disobey the rules of linearity and symmetry. Similar to Derrida's theory, deconstructivist
architecture broke away from structuralism in architecture.
Culinary deconstruction
In gastronomy, chefs nowadays take a creative approach towards food by deconstructing classic
dishes. This involves presenting a dish sometimes as an aggregate of its components based on
their interpretation of a dish.
The deconstructed apple pie has been making rounds in the culinary world. Would you try it?
Deconstructionism: Literature
The fundamental logic of deconstruction is that no text carries meanings or messages that are
beyond interpretation.
Deconstruction is sometimes also referred to as deconstructionism. The term deconstructionism

is used in academic circles in a slightly disparaging manner to refer to Derrida's theory.
As we already mentioned, Derridean deconstruction created a fissure within the intellectual

community. It was subjected to aggressive and hostile attacks from established academics and
philosophers. Derrida was accused of being deliberately complex and perplexing. His theory was
even criticised as misguiding young intellectuals and students.
Now let's look at deconstruction in action!
Using deconstruction in literary analysis is complex and simple at the same time. When we read
something, a poem, for example, we might sometimes be too quick to look at its form and
structure. Does it rhyme? What kind of literary devices are used in the poem? What is the subject
matter and theme?
When we do a deconstructionist analysis, we look for ideas and meanings that usually fall
through the cracks. You read between the lines, knowing that the boundaries are not rigid and
there is no one correct interpretation.
This might be a good exercise to help you understand the concept of deconstruction: re-read a
book a while after you first read it. Did you notice anything new or come up with a different
interpretation?
Deconstruction - Key takeaways

 Deconstruction is a critical theory and philosophical approach proposed by the French
philosopher Jacques Derrida.
 The key argument in deconstruction is that meaning is unreliable as the language that
communicates meaning is itself unreliable.
 It is impossible to determine fixed, underlying meanings in a text.
 Therefore, all texts are open to multiple interpretations.
 Central to the theory of deconstruction is Derrida's idea of différance and his criticism of
binary oppositions.

Deconstruction theory

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Deconstruction theory

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Deconstruction theory

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Deconstruction theory, a prominent intellectual movement in the realm of literary and

philosophical analysis, challenges conventional perceptions of language, meaning, and

Signified is the object or concept the signifier tries to represent.

Deconstruction is regarded as a poststructuralist and postmodernist theory. Derrida did not

Deconstruction is sometimes also referred to as deconstructionism. The term deconstructionism

As we already mentioned, Derridean deconstruction created a fissure within the intellectual

Deconstruction - Key takeaways

You might also like