Key ideas: Key vocabulary Language is a system of signs; words only have binary pair meaning because of the contrast between these commonality signs. In other words, a concept can only be conflict understood in relation to its opposite e.g. contrast Jacques Derrida man/woman, white/black. deconstruction Within these binary opposites there is hierarchy hierarchy with one being seen as more important. juxtaposition A deconstructive reading of a text will try to notion expose the way these oppositions work and opposite undermine the binary notion of meaning. An Inspector Calls Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde ‘Macbeth A deconstructive reading would highlight that… ...within An Inspector Calls we are ...Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde act as a offered a set of dichotomy with binary pair- they emphasise and the young set against the old: Eric amplify the different attitude and Sheila embrace socialist embodied by each character. beliefs, whereas their parents and Gerald retain their capitalist ...Dr. Jekyll conceals Mr. Hyde. beliefs. In this way, Priestly could This juxtaposition of the good presents Macbeth …Shakespeare be suggesting to his audience and Banquo as a binary pair in Jekyll and the baleful appearance that for some, change will be order to generate conflict. Their of Mr. Hyde emphasises the impossible, but that the young, secret nature of society at that commonality is evident from the will be able to change the world. outset; both are promised a time and the duality of man. future linked to the royal line generates conflict …Priestley however Banquo opts to take a binary opposition of …The through the binary opposition of moral route whilst Macbeth Jekyll/Hyde and Utterson is used capitalist and socialist views in by Stevenson to generate conflict. demonstrates a distinct drive to the play. He uses the characters elevate his hierarchical position… Though Utterson would seem to of Birling and the Inspector to emerge victorious through display this conflict, as they surviving and finding out the struggle for power. truth, the fact that Hyde commits suicide could suggest that he ‘has inspector seeks to …The the last word’ and has a higher overthrow the established place in the hierarchy. hierarchy, where capitalists have more power in society.
Jacques Derrida Key ideas: Language is a system of signs; words only have meaning because of the contrast between these signs. In other words, a concept can only be understood in relation to its opposite e.g. man/woman, white/black. Within these binary opposites there is hierarchy with one being seen as more important. A deconstructive reading of a text will try to expose the way these oppositions work and undermine the binary notion of meaning. Key vocabulary binary pair commonality conflict contrast deconstruction hierarchy juxtaposition notion opposite ‘Macbeth An Inspector Calls Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde A deconstructive reading would highlight that… …Shakespeare presents Macbeth and Banquo as a binary pair in order to generate conflict. Their commonality is evident from the outset; both are promised a future linked to the royal line however Banquo opts to take a moral route whilst Macbeth demonstrates a distinct drive to elevate his hierarchical position… ...within An Inspector Calls we are offered a set of dichotomy with the young set against the old: Eric and Sheila embrace socialist beliefs, whereas their parents and Gerald retain their capitalist beliefs. In this way, Priestly could be suggesting to his audience that for some, change will be impossible, but that the young, will be able to change the world. …Priestley generates conflict through the binary opposition of capitalist and socialist views in the play. He uses the characters of Birling and the Inspector to display this conflict, as they struggle for power. …The inspector seeks to overthrow the established hierarchy, where capitalists have more power in society. ...Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde act as a binary pair- they emphasise and amplify the different attitude embodied by each character. ...Dr. Jekyll conceals Mr. Hyde. This juxtaposition of the good Jekyll and the baleful appearance of Mr. Hyde emphasises the secret nature of society at that time and the duality of man. …The binary opposition of Jekyll/Hyde and Utterson is used by Stevenson to generate conflict. Though Utterson would seem to emerge victorious through surviving and finding out the truth, the fact that Hyde commits suicide could suggest that he ‘has the last word’ and has a higher place in the hierarchy.
critical_postcards_-_caldew.docx