Deconstructionism list Lens

Presented by:Presented by:Kandia Jackson, Darryl Page , Kandia Jackson, Darryl Page ,

Shabrel Simmons, Devin Shabrel Simmons, Devin Thorton and Michelle Lanier Thorton and Michelle Lanier

What is deconstructionism? • A philosophical movement and

theory of literary criticism that questions traditional assumptions about certainty, identity, and truth;

• asserts that words can only refer to other words; and attempts to demonstrate how statements about any text subvert their own meanings.

Simplifying • It has more to do with immediate It has more to do with immediate

understanding rather than popular understanding rather than popular belief. Going against the belief. Going against the structuralism method taught in structuralism method taught in books such as books such as How to read How to read literature like a professor literature like a professor .

• Paying close attention to the Paying close attention to the author’s connotation for personal author’s connotation for personal meaning.meaning.

• This type of text would go best This type of text would go best with works of fiction.with works of fiction.

• It is especially prevalent in works It is especially prevalent in works that are controversialthat are controversial.

Now on to Native Son….

Religious exclamations= Anger/frustration claim

• Throughout the Novel several characters exclaim a religious word or phrase when frustrated first seen with Bigger and his repeating “Goddamn” and even when his mother exclaims “ Oh Lord” .

• Notice when Bigger uses these religious exclamations specifically when things do not go as he wishes. Could this be a sign of how heavy the African American community relied on a higher power to resolve their frustrations within society?

• What do you think this says about African American culture ?

Perceived Masculinity / femininity by emotions claim

• Throughout the book Bigger displays extreme complexity expressing sincere emotions Throughout the book Bigger displays extreme complexity expressing sincere emotions oftenoften resulting in him acting out in odd, and primarily violent ways. resulting in him acting out in odd, and primarily violent ways.

• Above shown are the weapons Bigger uses to act on his insincere/ erratic behaviors. Above shown are the weapons Bigger uses to act on his insincere/ erratic behaviors. Notice through out the book the author makes several references to Bigger touching and Notice through out the book the author makes several references to Bigger touching and feeling for the gun in times of uncertainty.feeling for the gun in times of uncertainty.

• In Native Son the Character Bigger has trouble dealing with emotions properly as stated In Native Son the Character Bigger has trouble dealing with emotions properly as stated on page 310 “on page 310 “ He wept because he had once again trusted his feelings and once again they had betrayed him.”

The word• The word The word BetrayalBetrayal carries with it a carries with it a

heavy burden. A sense of becoming heavy burden. A sense of becoming a traitor to one’s self or being a traitor to one’s self or being forsaken by another usually for their forsaken by another usually for their personal gain.personal gain.

Comparison

Versus

Court = Sanity claim

• Throughout Bigger’s inquest of Mary and Bessie there is a repetition of the Throughout Bigger’s inquest of Mary and Bessie there is a repetition of the words “ the coroner rapped for order”. Whilst this is going on Bigger gives in to words “ the coroner rapped for order”. Whilst this is going on Bigger gives in to involuntary pictures (page 332).involuntary pictures (page 332).

• The use of the word sweep in the sentence “His eyes looked with painful The use of the word sweep in the sentence “His eyes looked with painful effort…. And the people in it.” The word “sweep” makes one associate the effort…. And the people in it.” The word “sweep” makes one associate the situation with filth, something unwanted, and something to be abandoned.situation with filth, something unwanted, and something to be abandoned.

Murder= power = success claim• Following the murder of Mary

Bigger experiences feeling. A feeling that he apparently seldom has a feeling of fulfillment .After the murder he feels pleased with himself. In proving to everyone and himself that he is indeed more intelligent and capable than he initially presents himself as.

• “He smiled a little., feeling a tingling sensation enveloping all his body.”

• Both page 113

• “He was eager tremendously excited”

• These sentences show that Bigger is not only clever but manipulative he is inevitably more complex than from how his character is first presented. As the stereotypical African American committing petty crimes and living for the short term.

• Bigger’s Psychosis manifests itself as a result of years of frustration by the white man , can this same concept be applied to why Bigger later rapes Bessie because he feels he himself has been raped metaphorically would it be safe to say Bessie’s rape & murder was a metaphysical representation of what Bigger feels? And from then on is it safe to say that Bigger subconsciously enacts his( initially) conflicted thoughts metaphysically upon those around him.

What type of killer would you classify Bigger as?

Sources

• http://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/Deconstruction+(literature)

• http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080208160949AA2wlVQ

http://www.enotes.com/twentieth-century-criticism/deconstruction