Correct option is B
"Course in General Linguistics" (B): (1916, posthumously published), This foundational work in the field of linguistics was originally written by Ferdinand de Saussure in 1916 and published posthumously. It introduces the structuralist approach to the study of language, emphasizing the importance of structural relationships in language.
"The Pleasure of the Text" (D): (1973), Roland Barthes's book, also published in 1973, reflects on the nature of reading and the pleasure derived from the act of reading. Barthes examines the sensual and intellectual dimensions of reading.
"The Implied Reader" (E): (1974), Wolfgang Iser's book, published in 1974, explores the concept of the "implied reader" in literary theory. It examines how readers construct meaning from texts and how authors guide the reader's interpretation.
"Structuralist Poetics" (A): (1975), Written by Jonathan Culler, this book was published in 1975. It provides an overview of structuralist literary theory and its application to the analysis of poetry and narrative.
"The Pursuit of Signs" (C): (1981), This work by Jonathan Culler, published in 1984, delves into the structuralist analysis of literature and semiotics. It explores the signs and symbols in literary texts and their significance.
This sequence reflects the development of structuralism, semiotics, and literary theory from Saussure's foundational linguistic work to the application of these ideas in literary analysis and reader response theory in the latter part of the 20th century.
Information Booster:
Course in General Linguistics: Introduced the structuralist approach in linguistics; stressed the study of language as a system of signs; distinction between langue (structured language system) and parole (individual speech acts).
Pleasure of the Text: Analysis of reading as both a sensual and intellectual act; contrasts pleasure (comfortable, conventional reading) with bliss (disruptive, challenging reading).
The Implied Reader: Theory of the reader’s active role in constructing meaning; concept of an “implied reader” as envisioned by the text itself; interplay between text structure and reader engagement.
Structuralist Poetics: Application of structuralist theory to poetry and narrative; focus on literary conventions, codes, and systems that underlie meaning-making.
The Pursuit of Signs: Combines structuralism and semiotics; investigates how meaning in literature is produced through signs, symbols, and interpretive structures.
Additional Knowledge:
Course in General Linguistics shaped modern linguistics and inspired thinkers in anthropology (Claude Lévi-Strauss) and literary theory (Roland Barthes).
Pleasure of the Text fits within Barthes’s move from structuralism to post-structuralism, reflecting a shift toward subjectivity and reader experience.
The Implied Reader is central to reception theory, which studies the reader-text relationship.
Structuralist Poetics was a key text in bringing French structuralist thought into Anglo-American literary criticism.
The Pursuit of Signs broadened Jonathan Culler’s influence, bridging narratology, semiotics, and literary theory.
Chronological spread:
Course in General Linguistics – 1916 (posthumous)
The Pleasure of the Text – 1973
The Implied Reader – 1974
Structuralist Poetics – 1975
The Pursuit of Signs – 1981 (published 1984)
English
10 Questions
20 Marks
12 Mins
