Structuralism Things cannot be understood in isolation Claude

Structuralism ‘Things cannot be understood in isolation…’ Claude Levi-Strauss (1908 -2009), anthropologist Roland Barthes (1915 -1980), literary critic

The Dark Knight • Take a well-known media text. Let’s say, The Dark Knight (2011) • A structuralist would argue that The Dark Knight cannot be fully understood without knowledge of the history of the many Batman movies, and in turn, the comic book in which the character originated. • In turn, comic book heroes can’t be understood in isolation – we must recognise Batman as one of many superheroes in the Marvel and DC Universe • Furthermore, we must understand comic books as having certain characteristics different from other literature, such as children’s books, graphic novels or video games.

Structuralists • Structuralists say that the meaning of text is not contained within it, but in the cultural relationships surrounding and connecting it. • The focus is not on the text itself, but on the larger, abstract structures that contain them.

Structuralists consider • • • Genre Over-arching narrative Source text Style influences Stock characters Binary opposites Recurring themes Text’s position in the series of sequels/prequels/spin-offs Adaptations Text’s position within director’s previous work Text’s position within actor’s previous work

Star Trek 1966 -69 Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979) Star Trek V: The Final Frontier (1989) Star Trek: Generations (1994) Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982) Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country (1991) Star Trek: Firs Contact (1996) Star Trek III: The Search for Spock (1984) Star Trek (2009) Star Trek: Into Darkness (2013) Star Trek: Beyond (2016) Star Trek: Insurrection (1998) JJ Abrams Star Trek: Nemesis (2002) Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (1986) Star Wars (2015) Star Wars (1977) Space Balls Sci-Fi Genre Parody Star Trek: The Next Generation 1987 -94 Star Trek Board Games (Monopoly, Trivial Pursuit etc. ) Galaxy Quest (1999) The Orville 2017 - Star Trek: Voyager 1995 -2001 Star Trek: Discovery 2017 Star Trek Card Games Star Trek Books/Novels since 1968 Star Trek Role. Playing games Black Mirror Season 4: USS Callister (2017) Netflix Star Trek Video Games