Structuralism and post-structuralism

Part 1: Media Factsheet reading

Use our brilliant Media Factsheet archive to find Factsheet #90 Applying Structuralism and Post-Structuralism. Read the Factsheet and answer the following questions:

1) What is the definition of structuralism provided by the Factsheet? 

Structuralism is a theoretical perspective that emphasises the existence of universal structures underlying the surface differences and assumed randomness of various cultures, stories and media texts. For example, this theory suggests that there are ‘structures’ inherent in narratives, so patterns can be observed even across texts that appear to be unconnected.

2) What are binary oppositions, and why are they important?

Two things in a media text that contrast, e.g. old and young. It allows us to represent society's beliefs through symbols in media texts.

3) How do genre and auteur theory link to structuralism?

We can look at common patterns producers use in a genre. This links to structuralism as their decision causes the audience to expect certain things within a media text, depending on its genre.

4) Look at page 4 of the factsheet. What is post-structuralism?

Post-structuralism looks at how external influences affect meaning.

5) What is your own opinion on this theory? Do you agree that we use established structures to understand the media (such as narrative and genre), or is the power now with audiences in a digital, post-structuralist media landscape? 

I believe that currently media texts are polysemic and the meaning of media depends on the audience, as now audiences can be influenced more easily by others' opinions from social media.

Part 2: The Mitchells vs The Machines analysis

Watch the trailer for The Mitchells vs The Machines: 
 

Write an analysis of the trailer from both a structuralist and post-structuralist perspective. 

From a structural perspective, we can see how the movie leans into the sci-fi genre conventions, for example, the use of robots and high technology. Furthermore, it follows the usual narrative that humanity is under attack and has to be saved from a greater life form. We can also see more stereotypical things, like the family. They are a conventional family that has fights, but are also close to each other and lead a normal lifestyle before the takeover. However, from a post-structuralist view, we can see that the trailer rejects traditional structures, as in a sci-fi movie, we wouldn't expect children to fight robots and save the earth, as we would expect a secret organisation or the army, like in older movies. Even more, the trailer incorporates YouTube memculture, which is more modern and something that a younger audience would understand.

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