( OBJECTIVE/FORMALISTIC APPROACH)

Bu Juliati

Against the mimetic, expressive theories, and

assumption that a work is a medium of
communication between author and reader.
A work perceived as an otonomous/
independent object
It has structure which is related to one and
another
Analysis ->to reveal and describe cautiously,
precisely, deeply the relation of all elements
of structure which build the whole meaning
Regardless the extrinsic elements

Structuralism cannot be separated from

linguistic aspects
Aristoteles : structure = wholeness, unity,
complexity and coherence
Keutuhan makna tergantung pada koherensi
keseluruhan unsur karya sastra
Each structure will mean when it is related
to the other structure.
The relation can be parallelism, opposition,
or inversion

Jean Peaget mentions 3 things in structural

analysis:
1. wholeness: each element has to adapt
with a set of intrinsic values which
determine the wholeness of the structure
2. Transformation: the structure is dynamic.
Changes on one structure will cause
changes on the relation.
3. Self-regulation it does not need outer
elements to maintain the transformation. It
will automatically regulates itself.

Structuralism influenced by Ferdinand de

Saussures concept about sign and meaning

A literary work -> built on language, has

independent form and content/ meaning .

Understanding toward a work can be

obtained from the work itself.

Yet, the understanding should be able to

reveal the relation of its elements/structures
(both its form and content) in building the
work

know all of the basic knowledge about the

elements/components which build the structure
of a work
read the work cautiously (close reading), note
the elements of structure
Analysis on theme is the first thing to do
Analysis on theme should be related with
philosophy / basic thought of the work.
because theme is the soul of the work which
influences/exists in each element of structure
Analysis on the other intrinsic
elements/components plot, setting, point of
view, characterization, figurative language
Interpretation of each element should be
connected with the other elements

Assumed to be more
objective because
treating a work as an
independent text
Analysis is more
detailed
Can be used as
feedback

STRENGTH

Work is separated from

the its function loss of
its social relevance,
historical background,
human aspects
Aesthetic aspect is often
neglected
Need complex
knowledge on the
structure of the work
Tend to analyze
masterpieces only

WEAKNESS

BASIC PRINCIPLES
Glickberg (1967) :
All literature, however fantastic or mystical
in content, is animated by a profound social
concern, and this is true even the most
flagrant nihilistic work.
Levin (in Elizabeth and Burn,1973):
Literature is not only the effect of social
causes but also the cause of social effect

Assumption : literature is part of society

Reciprocal relationship
A sociological analysis find out the kind
of society that bears the work.
An author is individual in society he/she is
involved in social life, expose the problems
of life faced by society raise committed
literature)

Sociology of literature
see the social factors as the major
analysis, literature as the minor.
moves from social factors to understand
social factors embedded in a work
Literary Sociology
moves from social factors in the literary
text to understand social phenomena
outside the text

Indirect dialog relationship

To show the relation-> we assume that a
writer writes a work as his/her response to
social realities that he/she faces
Thus it creates a direct dialog relationship
A work needs to be placed in between
(existing in-between)

Analyze the author

Analyze the social factors embedded in the
literary work
Analyze the social factors in society, or
literatures that explain the condition of
society where the work is born
From the result of Step 1 and 2, researcher
relates them to find out if there is a
conformity between the social factors in the
work and in the society.