Which two of the following are associated with Deconstruction?

(a) Jacques Derrida
(b) Raymond Williams
(c) Paul de Man
(d) Jonathan Dollimore

Choose the correct option:

Correct option is B

Explanation:

Jacques Derrida and Paul de Man are the central figures associated with Deconstruction.

Jacques Derrida: Often called the father of deconstruction, Derrida developed this critical approach in the late 20th century. His focus was on the instability of meaning and language, famously articulating the idea that texts have multiple meanings and that words and concepts rely on difference and exclusion. Derrida's work challenges the idea of stable meanings and questions traditional structures of knowledge.

Paul de Man: Another key figure in the development of deconstruction, de Man was closely associated with the Yale School of literary theory. His work largely focuses on rhetoric, language, and the slippery nature of interpretation. His essay "Blindness and Insight" is a key text in deconstructionist criticism, emphasizing the paradoxes of interpretation.

Information Booster:

Deconstruction is a philosophical and critical approach initiated by Jacques Derrida in the 1960s.

It is based on the idea that language is unstable, and that texts are subject to multiple interpretations.

Deconstructionists seek to deconstruct the binary oppositions (e.g., good/evil, male/female) that structure Western thought, revealing the hidden assumptions and contradictions within language and texts.

Deconstruction questions traditional interpretations of literature, philosophy, and culture, focusing on the idea that meaning is not fixed. For instance, Derrida's work on the concept of différance emphasizes how meaning is always deferred and dependent on context.

Jacques Derrida's Contribution:

- Derrida’s key works, such as Of Grammatology (1967), challenge the idea that meaning in language is grounded in fixed concepts.

- He introduced terms such as logocentrism (the belief in the primacy of speech over writing) and deferred meaning (the idea that meaning in language is always postponed).

- Derrida’s work had a profound impact on literary theory, philosophy, and even law.

Paul de Man's Contribution:

- Paul de Man's critical work focused on the interpretation of literary texts and their rhetorical structures.

He emphasized the irony and paradox inherent in language and examined how language itself complicates and distorts the process of understanding.

His essays, like “The Rhetoric of Temporality”, explore how time, language, and history are interwoven, often in contradictory ways.

Additional Knowledge:

Raymond Williams:

- Raymond Williams was an important figure in cultural theory. Williams was a prominent Marxist theorist and literary critic known for his work on cultural materialism.

- He focused on the relationship between culture, society, and politics, with a strong emphasis on the historical materialist approach.

- His works such as Culture and Society (1958) were influential, but they do not relate to deconstructionist theory.

Jonathan Dollimore:

- Jonathan Dollimore is known for his work in cultural theory and Shakespeare studies, particularly regarding gender and sexuality.

- While his work has connections to post-structuralism and cultural studies, he is not primarily linked with deconstruction, which focuses more specifically on the nature of language, texts, and meaning in philosophy and literary criticism.