Saussure Within The Great Gatsby Structuralism can be described as a critical movement of literature that studies how elements of a text can be understood more efficiently by examining its relationship to the overall composition of a text. Ferdinand de Saussure, the “father of modern linguistics” (845) is a prominent critic in the Structuralism movement. The understanding of Saussure’s theory in Structuralism will be examined using mathematical examples and applied to interpret The Great Gatsby.
Saussure’s theory of literature centers on the “principle of the ‘arbitrary’ (purely conventional) nature of the sign” (846). According to Saussure, language is a “structured system of conventional signs, studied in their internal complexity as if …show more content…
This green light is subject to interpretation, but this symbol constitutes to be the signifier of several of the novel’s themes. The green light is then an associative relation to a traffic signal where green indicates “go.” Through this, the readers may interpret the green light as a symbol of growth, hope, and a new beginning. This is ideally what Gatsby is hoping for in his pursuit of his long-lost love, Daisy. The adjective green in regards to the “green light” symbol has its own significance as it represents both wealth and …show more content…
The society during the “Roaring Twenties” was one focused on extravagance. The society’s members during this time yearned towards an Ethiopian ideal through their pursuit of both prosperity (wealth) and success (happiness). Gatsby’s attempt to achieve this ideal mirrors the expected behavior associated with achieving this “American Dream.” Since Gatsby was not born wealthy, the journey towards his immense wealth gave hope to those near the bottom of the social ladder for self-improvement. However, Gatsby’s sole purpose of this prosperity achievement was to win Daisy’s love. As a consequence, Gatsby expected to have instant gratification when Daisy noticed his new transformation. While the extravagant parties continued every night, Gatsby’s feelings of loneliness only seemed to increase. In society, the journey towards this ideal typically ends in tragedy. This is reflected in The Great Gatsby as Gatsby follows this dream to his death.
The application of Saussure’s literary theory to examine the prominent influence of the “American Dream” theme in The Great Gatsby enhances our understanding of Structuralism. The symbols in a novel are described as the signifiers. The associative relation of these symbols helps to build the existence of the signified. The relationship between the signifiers and the signified constitute the overall structure of
Saussure’s theory of literature centers on the “principle of the ‘arbitrary’ (purely conventional) nature of the sign” (846). According to Saussure, language is a “structured system of conventional signs, studied in their internal complexity as if …show more content…
This green light is subject to interpretation, but this symbol constitutes to be the signifier of several of the novel’s themes. The green light is then an associative relation to a traffic signal where green indicates “go.” Through this, the readers may interpret the green light as a symbol of growth, hope, and a new beginning. This is ideally what Gatsby is hoping for in his pursuit of his long-lost love, Daisy. The adjective green in regards to the “green light” symbol has its own significance as it represents both wealth and …show more content…
The society during the “Roaring Twenties” was one focused on extravagance. The society’s members during this time yearned towards an Ethiopian ideal through their pursuit of both prosperity (wealth) and success (happiness). Gatsby’s attempt to achieve this ideal mirrors the expected behavior associated with achieving this “American Dream.” Since Gatsby was not born wealthy, the journey towards his immense wealth gave hope to those near the bottom of the social ladder for self-improvement. However, Gatsby’s sole purpose of this prosperity achievement was to win Daisy’s love. As a consequence, Gatsby expected to have instant gratification when Daisy noticed his new transformation. While the extravagant parties continued every night, Gatsby’s feelings of loneliness only seemed to increase. In society, the journey towards this ideal typically ends in tragedy. This is reflected in The Great Gatsby as Gatsby follows this dream to his death.
The application of Saussure’s literary theory to examine the prominent influence of the “American Dream” theme in The Great Gatsby enhances our understanding of Structuralism. The symbols in a novel are described as the signifiers. The associative relation of these symbols helps to build the existence of the signified. The relationship between the signifiers and the signified constitute the overall structure of