signifer + signified = sign

"The bond between the signifier and the signified is radically arbitrary" (35). Yet again we are put to the challenge of finding reason and logic behind a statement, this time in the words of Saussure. To begin with, I feel as though it would be helpful to understand the distinction between each component that Saussure talks about. The signifier is the defined by the words that are spoken and heard or that are written and read; it is the sound or image of a text. The signified is the concept behind that sound or image within a text that helps us visualize the deeper meaning of the text. Together, the signifier and the signified equal a sign within a text. Although they are different, the connection between the signifier and the signified is that they are arbitrary in that they are random and have no central connection. My best assumption would suggest that Saussure means that we as a society have given meaning to words. Using the example from class, we only know that a tree is named as it is because our society determined that a tall object with branches, leaves, and bark is called a tree. The arbitrary part involves the visualization that we get in our heads when we hear the word ‘tree’; we use the concept that we have gathered and form a picture of what the object actually is.

I feel like since reading about post-structuralism, I now have that ideas and theories that Saussure conjured and I’m able to better relate to them based on my own thoughts. Saussure had the idea that signifiers and the signified are created in our mind, and honestly as first glance I wasn’t entirely sure what he meant. However, after looking at the reading more closely and considering the examples from class, I can now see the parallels that Saussure created for readers to understand.

Dr. Craig's Insight

To begin with, I must say that Dr. Craig’s post has truly shed a new light on Marxism in my eyes. The examples that were provided helped solidify the meaning that I had of Marxism and also encouraged me to look at the theory in a more directed spectrum. I also thoroughly enjoyed the writing style and the humor that was provided throughout the blog post; it kept my attention and made me want to continue reading while allowing me to presumably gain a better understanding of Marxist theory. Thank you, Dr. Craig!

One point that Dr. Craig mentioned that quickly grasped my attention was the piece about the copy of the Communist Manifesto in the retail store. So many times we as consumers go about our daily lives and purchase items that our society has more or less swayed us into buying. But the thing about purchasing these items is that because our current society has molded us into the materialistic society that we are, consumers don’t know anything other than buying in mass quantity for pleasure more so than for necessity. It has become one of our social norms. It’s interesting to note that the Communist Manifesto doesn’t necessarily serve the purpose of being leery and fearful of the wealthy class as it at one point in time did. Dr. Craig mentioned that Communist symbols today remind us of the class distinctions and uprising in our society rather than something we should be fearful of.

Dr. Craig also brings up the valid point that today we as consumers still purchase products with symbolic icons such as Che Guevara. Stores continue to market such products to those who they are confident will be purchasing it: the working class. On one hand, the working class benefits because they can support an icon of revolutionary change at a fairly low cost to them. On the other hand, the wealthier class are the ones who fall into the category of the corporate executives of the stores that continue to sell such products. I have worked at Target for the past four years. Speaking from my personal experience, I have noticed that on numerous occasions we have sold shirts with and image of Che Guevara on it in the men’s clothing section that is grouped with clothes for younger men. Target is a store that makes billions of dollars annually because of the dedicated business of the working class. Others within the working class because the store is able to continue paying them based on the revenue that the working class provides. The specific manufacturers who create the products are those of the ruling class; they are the corporate executives that are rarely seen at national corporate events never mind in any given store in the country. The corporate executives are benefiting from the purchases of the working class because they are continuously given reasons to create more and more products. In this instance, Target has grasped the hegemonic control over our society of working class citizens that has helped the corporation grow into a multi-billion dollar company.

Dr. Craig, it wasn’t until reading your post that I was able to relate my personal experience with Marxism. The examples you provided triggered me to think of Marxism in ways that would allow me to better grasp its concept. Again, I say thank you for providing your insight and examples!

Marxism vs. Liberal Humanism

In terms of literary criticism, liberal humanism can be defined as the idea that we read literature to learn is deeper message and truths about human nature. Rather than look at the deep historic or economic, social, and political circumstances defined by culture that Marxist criticism looks at, liberal humanism looks toward the attitude of literature itself. Liberal humanists believe that a text must be detached from its context and studied in isolation in order to fully understand the deep meaning that an author intends. Marxism is based on a set of information that cannot be changed or read into. Readers don’t have the opportunity to explore the plethora of ideas that others may have when analyzing a similar text.

I would have to say that I myself would fall under the jurisdiction of liberal humanism more so than Marxist criticism. Although much can be said about the factual information in a text, such as the economic or class situations and how they vary by culture, I feel as though readers are limited by the facts that a text presents. On the contrary, when analyzing a text for deep meanings and further theorizing about human nature, readers are able to let their minds explore endless options of ideas. This also allows readers to research further and discover what other theorists have to say about the text or in reference to the text.

This is Me!

Hello all, my name is La Sonrisita (The Little Smile). I am currently a junior English Communications major with minors in Spanish and Information Technology. As you can imagine, this blog is going to be a strong combination of my interests in writing and technology, with a little Spanish flair thrown in there too! My vision for the blog will include my comments on topics that we cover in Critical Theory in another way other than simply our daily class conversations. It will be a way to express thoughts and ideas that have been marinating after class discussion.

As for the concept of theory itself, i feel that it is one of the strongest tools that we can utilize as objects and instruments of study. It allows us to constantly be students, regardless of our age or level of education. Theory helps us consider the thoughts that others before us have proposed, and either agree or disagree with them by applying them to a plethora of topics that are relevant to us. Researching theories is the basis for knowledgeable opinions, which in turn help us formulate our own ideas and theories.