Structuralism and post-structuralism

 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. 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?

Binary oppositions are a pair of exclusive, opposite terms or concepts that define each other by contrast. They are important because language and cultural storytelling rely on contrasting pairs such as hero or villain. This helps create meaning and structure narratives.

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

Genre and auteur theory links to structuralism as it shifts the analysis from romantic and isolated places director worship to both individual style and genres into a shared system of signs and codes.

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

Post-structuralism is interested in how ‘external’ structures can affect meaning. For example, post structural analysis may look at how attitudes towards gender or ethnicity in society affect the audience’s understanding of a text and
the meanings it generates.


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? 

My opinion of this theory is that the power is now with audiences in a digital, post-structuralism media landscape.



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 structuralists view, the trailer for 'Mitchells vs Machines' emphasises the narrative of humans vs robots. This trailer conveys a connection to the real world as work nowadays has and still is being replaced with artificial intelligence. From the use of binary oppositions between humans and robots , this movie displays an unusual family that is least expected to save the world but had ended up being the protagonists of this film. This movie portrays the robots as the antagonists which delivers a message of preventing AI use. 









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