Theoretical Approaches to Theoretical Approaches to LiteratureLiterature

• The Da Vinci CodeThe Da Vinci Code: A man is : A man is murdered in a secured area of the murdered in a secured area of the Louvre and arranges his body in an Louvre and arranges his body in an unusual position, apparently to pass to unusual position, apparently to pass to authorities the reason for his death authorities the reason for his death and to expose his murderer’s identity, and to expose his murderer’s identity, Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon is called in to help with the strange is called in to help with the strange case. case.

Literary TheoriesLiterary Theories

• Ways of thinking Ways of thinking about and about and analyzing a text analyzing a text to determine its to determine its value, extract a value, extract a meaning, create a meaning, create a unified analysis, unified analysis, and evaluate its and evaluate its artistic merit.artistic merit.

Author

Text Reader

Reader Response TheoryReader Response Theory

• This places the reader This places the reader as the most important as the most important factor in determining factor in determining how the text means.how the text means.– Each reader is seen as Each reader is seen as

product of their culture product of their culture and education, and education, influenced by what influenced by what they have read and they have read and what they believewhat they believe

Author

Text Reader

The good old-fashioned liking of a book falls under this theory’s umbrella

““Old” HistoricismOld” Historicism• Look at events in writer’s life to Look at events in writer’s life to

see personal influences in the see personal influences in the work.work.

• Draw parallels between Brown Draw parallels between Brown and the novel’s main character.and the novel’s main character.– Brown graduated from Amherst Brown graduated from Amherst

College and Phillips Exeter College and Phillips Exeter Academy, taught English and Academy, taught English and then began to write full-time. then began to write full-time.

– His father is a Presidential Award His father is a Presidential Award winning math professor, his winning math professor, his mother is a professional sacred mother is a professional sacred musician, and his wife is an art musician, and his wife is an art historian and painter who historian and painter who collaborates on his research and collaborates on his research and accompanies him on his frequent accompanies him on his frequent research trips. research trips.

– Langdon is an Ivy League Langdon is an Ivy League graduate of wealthy parents who graduate of wealthy parents who studies the connections between studies the connections between art and science and who will art and science and who will work closely with a female work closely with a female partner, Sophie, while on break partner, Sophie, while on break from teaching at Harvard.from teaching at Harvard.

Author

Text Reader

FormalismFormalism• The focus is on the work The focus is on the work

itself as a cinematic itself as a cinematic structure and it aims to structure and it aims to discover the ways in discover the ways in which the work achieves which the work achieves (or fails to achieve) (or fails to achieve) unity.unity.– No part of the work is (or No part of the work is (or

should be) superfluous.should be) superfluous.– Sees other contexts—Sees other contexts—

cultural/sociological, cultural/sociological, biographical, historical biographical, historical information—as lacking information—as lacking importance or as importance or as secondary to the question secondary to the question of the film’s artistic of the film’s artistic quality.quality.

Author

Text Reader

StructuralismStructuralism• There are two kinds, which are closely relatedThere are two kinds, which are closely related

– One concentrates of the patterns formed by the One concentrates of the patterns formed by the cinematic elements in the work and examines these cinematic elements in the work and examines these patterns to find ones which unify the text and throw patterns to find ones which unify the text and throw certain elements into relief.certain elements into relief.

– The other sees the cinematic conventions and forms The other sees the cinematic conventions and forms as constituting a system of codes that contribute to as constituting a system of codes that contribute to and convey meaning. The special interest here is on and convey meaning. The special interest here is on the organization and function of the elements, on the organization and function of the elements, on how meaning is conveyed rather that what meaning how meaning is conveyed rather that what meaning is conveyed, on how the cinematic devices function is conveyed, on how the cinematic devices function rather than how they imitate an external reality. rather than how they imitate an external reality. (This branch is closely related to semiotics.)(This branch is closely related to semiotics.)

SemioticsSemiotics

• The study of systems of rules and The study of systems of rules and conventions that enable social and conventions that enable social and cultural phenomena, considered as cultural phenomena, considered as signs, to have meaning.signs, to have meaning.– This kind of analysis might compare This kind of analysis might compare

chapters, characters, or word usage, chapters, characters, or word usage, both within a book itself or within the both within a book itself or within the canon of work produced by a given canon of work produced by a given writer, or from within the genre the writer, or from within the genre the works are writtenworks are written

ModernismModernism

• Modernism dominated the arts and culture Modernism dominated the arts and culture of the first half of the twentieth century. It of the first half of the twentieth century. It challenged the “old” standards concerning challenged the “old” standards concerning how art should be constructed and what art how art should be constructed and what art is, favoring different and opposing is, favoring different and opposing conventions, such as the dissolution of conventions, such as the dissolution of harmony and melody in music, and the harmony and melody in music, and the rejection of traditional realism in favor of rejection of traditional realism in favor of experimental forms in literature and film. experimental forms in literature and film. – Modernists view the break with tradition in favor Modernists view the break with tradition in favor

of experimentation as mournful; they see it as of experimentation as mournful; they see it as leaving behind a longed for (and better) past. leaving behind a longed for (and better) past.

Post-ModernismPost-Modernism

• Postmodernism is an answer to Modernism, as Postmodernism is an answer to Modernism, as it celebrates the freedom of new forms of it celebrates the freedom of new forms of expression.expression.– A discussion of Modernism and Postmodernism A discussion of Modernism and Postmodernism

would not be complete without some attention to would not be complete without some attention to culture, specifically high and low or popular culture. culture, specifically high and low or popular culture. In brief, whereas Modernists privilege 'high' culture In brief, whereas Modernists privilege 'high' culture such as literature and classical art and music, such as literature and classical art and music, Postmodernists refuse to put any art forms on a Postmodernists refuse to put any art forms on a pedestal and revel in combining the everyday pedestal and revel in combining the everyday aspects of popular culture with what has been aspects of popular culture with what has been considered “high” art.considered “high” art.

MarxismMarxism• Marxists see the base (material means of Marxists see the base (material means of

production, distribution, and exchange) as production, distribution, and exchange) as the driving force of society, and the the driving force of society, and the superstructure (cultural world - ideas, art, superstructure (cultural world - ideas, art, religion, law) as being shaped by the base religion, law) as being shaped by the base or as a reflection of events that take place or as a reflection of events that take place within the base. This view of society is within the base. This view of society is economic determinism. economic determinism. – Based on this description of art as a influenced Based on this description of art as a influenced

by the economic base of society, general Marxist by the economic base of society, general Marxist literary criticism maintains that a writer's or a literary criticism maintains that a writer's or a director’s social class and the prevailing director’s social class and the prevailing ideology (outlook, values) thereof have major ideology (outlook, values) thereof have major bearing on what s/he writes. bearing on what s/he writes.

DeconstructionDeconstruction

• Deconstruction, or Deconstruction, or Deconstructionsim, grew out of Deconstructionsim, grew out of philosophy and, consequently, is philosophy and, consequently, is skeptical concerning the existence of skeptical concerning the existence of absolute truth or reliable knowledge. absolute truth or reliable knowledge. It sees a certain anxiety in the It sees a certain anxiety in the reliance on language, and thus on reliance on language, and thus on shots and scenes, etc., as the path to shots and scenes, etc., as the path to knowledge. knowledge.

• Deconstructionists see meaning as Deconstructionists see meaning as fluid and emphasize the lack of fluid and emphasize the lack of attachment between the verbal sign attachment between the verbal sign and the idea or concept to which it is and the idea or concept to which it is supposed to refer. supposed to refer.

• This free play of meaning breaks down This free play of meaning breaks down the concept of signifier/signified in that the concept of signifier/signified in that the relationship can be compromised the relationship can be compromised when everything becomes a signifier (a when everything becomes a signifier (a sort of chain effect with no beginning sort of chain effect with no beginning or end) or when there are multiple or end) or when there are multiple elements on either side of the elements on either side of the relationship. relationship.

• The idea that words, and by extension The idea that words, and by extension shots, angles, etc., cannot be defined shots, angles, etc., cannot be defined without viewing them in terms of their without viewing them in terms of their opposites also troubles opposites also troubles deconstructionists because this relational deconstructionists because this relational way of acquiring meaning defies the way of acquiring meaning defies the possibility of ‘pure’ or ‘true’ meaning. possibility of ‘pure’ or ‘true’ meaning.

• In the same way that words are In the same way that words are influenced by other words, they are also influenced by other words, they are also contaminated by their own histories. contaminated by their own histories. Since language does not take place Since language does not take place within a vacuum , the very history or within a vacuum , the very history or connotation of words influences how they connotation of words influences how they are used in present day.are used in present day.

• Deconstructionists, then, attempt Deconstructionists, then, attempt to show how meaning breaks down to show how meaning breaks down in a text because of the text; their in a text because of the text; their goal is to goal is to deconstructdeconstruct the text. the text.

• A deconstruction of A deconstruction of The Da Vinci The Da Vinci CodeCode might, then, look at what the might, then, look at what the text says truth is and then show, text says truth is and then show, using passages from the text that using passages from the text that the truth isn’t really out there, the truth isn’t really out there, finally concluding that the book finally concluding that the book cannot be pinned down to any cannot be pinned down to any meaning at all. meaning at all.

Sociological CriticismSociological Criticism

• Focuses on the time/place context that Focuses on the time/place context that produced the work to help explain the produced the work to help explain the work’s meaning or relevance. It holds that work’s meaning or relevance. It holds that the product, the film, cannot be understood the product, the film, cannot be understood without understanding the world that without understanding the world that produced it.produced it.

• One might situate this film in the ‘culture One might situate this film in the ‘culture war’ era which pits the 1960s civil rights war’ era which pits the 1960s civil rights movement against the conservative movement against the conservative movement that began in the1980s and movement that began in the1980s and picked up speed nationally amid the Clinton-picked up speed nationally amid the Clinton-Lewinsky scandal and then the contentious Lewinsky scandal and then the contentious battle for the presidency in 2000.battle for the presidency in 2000.

New HistoricismNew Historicism

• Combines “Old Historicism,” the Combines “Old Historicism,” the Sociological Approach, and an Sociological Approach, and an understanding of the industry understanding of the industry factors that control the production factors that control the production and dissemination of the film.and dissemination of the film.

FeminismFeminism

• Look at the roles men and women Look at the roles men and women play to see whether they are equal play to see whether they are equal or not.or not.– Are women rewarded for playing Are women rewarded for playing

traditional roles?traditional roles?– Are women punished for playing non-Are women punished for playing non-

traditional roles?traditional roles?– Are men conversely rewarded or Are men conversely rewarded or

punished?punished?

American EclecticismAmerican Eclecticism

• The movie as being important and The movie as being important and speaking to people through their speaking to people through their American values.American values.

• Approaching it through a specific Approaching it through a specific rubric or perspective, like through rubric or perspective, like through a particular sociological concept.a particular sociological concept.

Overview of U.S. ValuesOverview of U.S. Values

• Fairy tales, romances, and “chick flicks,” have Fairy tales, romances, and “chick flicks,” have a great popularity and staying power, as can a great popularity and staying power, as can be explained when one analyzes the values be explained when one analyzes the values they often communicate, perpetuate, and they often communicate, perpetuate, and reinforce.reinforce.

• Sociologists have identified several core Sociologists have identified several core values and beliefs that are communicated by, values and beliefs that are communicated by, perpetuated through, and reinforced within perpetuated through, and reinforced within our culture.our culture.– James Henslin, Southern Illinois University James Henslin, Southern Illinois University

Sociology Professor, identifies fifteen.Sociology Professor, identifies fifteen.

Henslin’s U.S. ValuesHenslin’s U.S. ValuesThese values can be either explicit or implicitThese values can be either explicit or implicit

Achievement and Achievement and successsuccess

IndividualismIndividualism

Activity and workActivity and work Efficiency and Efficiency and practicalitypracticality

Science and Science and technologytechnology

ProgressProgress

Material comfortMaterial comfort HumanitarianismHumanitarianism

FreedomFreedom DemocracyDemocracy

EqualityEquality Racism and group Racism and group superioritysuperiority

EducationEducation ReligiosityReligiosity

Romantic loveRomantic love

The Values within The Values within The Da Vinci CodeThe Da Vinci Code

These values can be either These values can be either explicitexplicit or or implicit implicit

Achievement and Achievement and successsuccess

IndividualismIndividualism

Activity and workActivity and work Efficiency and Efficiency and practicalitypracticality

Science and Science and technologytechnology

ProgressProgress

Material comfortMaterial comfort HumanitarianismHumanitarianism

FreedomFreedom DemocracyDemocracy

EqualityEquality Racism and group Racism and group superioritysuperiority

EducationEducation ReligiosityReligiosity

Romantic loveRomantic love

Achievement and SuccessAchievement and Success

• Achievement and success are Achievement and success are defined, at least from the female defined, at least from the female point of view, as concerning love point of view, as concerning love and companionship. That is and companionship. That is stressed for the male, as well, stressed for the male, as well, but for men creating something, but for men creating something, doing something work-related or doing something work-related or reputation-related is also reputation-related is also stressed.stressed.

IndividualismIndividualism

• The female character is portrayed The female character is portrayed as not being like other women, as not being like other women, while at the same time while at the same time representing the “modern representing the “modern woman” to the man from the woman” to the man from the past. This uniqueness among past. This uniqueness among women makes her successful at women makes her successful at work but, apparently, not at love.work but, apparently, not at love.

Activity and WorkActivity and Work

• Females do occupy positions in the Females do occupy positions in the workplace in the film but the heroine’s workplace in the film but the heroine’s ultimate choice, after attaining success ultimate choice, after attaining success at work, is to leave it all behind for at work, is to leave it all behind for love. The subordinate secretary clearly love. The subordinate secretary clearly values love over the work, too.values love over the work, too.

• The male character, apparently, never The male character, apparently, never has to choose between work and the has to choose between work and the past.past.

Efficiency and PracticalityEfficiency and Practicality

• Even the duke from the past Even the duke from the past values this, as the broken toaster values this, as the broken toaster scene illustrates.scene illustrates.

Science and TechnologyScience and Technology

• That science is stressed is That science is stressed is obvious, as it motivates the obvious, as it motivates the entire plot. It is science and entire plot. It is science and math that allows the young man math that allows the young man from the present to visit the past from the present to visit the past and start the events in action. and start the events in action.

ProgressProgress

• The idea of progress is challenged The idea of progress is challenged in the film, as corresponds to the in the film, as corresponds to the conservative perspective it conservative perspective it espouses. Life was better in the espouses. Life was better in the duke’s time: less caught up in duke’s time: less caught up in time-wasting technologies, more time-wasting technologies, more caring, more honest, better caring, more honest, better educated, more devoted to educated, more devoted to individual happiness. individual happiness.

Material ComfortMaterial Comfort

• Female character considers it Female character considers it important, as she judges her brother important, as she judges her brother on his lack of success. Worrying on his lack of success. Worrying about money is a value the duke is about money is a value the duke is resistant to and resentful of, even resistant to and resentful of, even though he shouldn’t be as it is his though he shouldn’t be as it is his livelihood at stake.livelihood at stake.

HumanitarianismHumanitarianism

• The duke is certainly presented The duke is certainly presented as being concerned for the as being concerned for the average person when he average person when he realizes that modern society is realizes that modern society is willing to lie about butter just to willing to lie about butter just to sell it to the masses. He does sell it to the masses. He does not feel comfortable lying to not feel comfortable lying to the masses in that way.the masses in that way.

FreedomFreedom

• Freedom of choice is clearly an Freedom of choice is clearly an issue in the film. The duke resents issue in the film. The duke resents that he does not have the that he does not have the monetary freedom to choose a monetary freedom to choose a companion wife, and the heroine companion wife, and the heroine does have the freedom to choose does have the freedom to choose between work and family—and between work and family—and perhaps will be able to continue to perhaps will be able to continue to work in the past.work in the past.

DemocracyDemocracy

• Democracy is an implied value in Democracy is an implied value in the film, as the duke is feeling the film, as the duke is feeling entrapped, to a degree, by his entrapped, to a degree, by his “noble” status and position. “noble” status and position. Hence, he has already re-located Hence, he has already re-located to America from England.to America from England.

EqualityEquality• That equality, or at least honesty, That equality, or at least honesty,

is advocated in the film is evident is advocated in the film is evident at the way honesty in relationships at the way honesty in relationships is stressed through the film. The is stressed through the film. The duke, too, shows he has not let duke, too, shows he has not let class prejudice interfere with his class prejudice interfere with his actions when he informs the actions when he informs the heroine that he once courted a heroine that he once courted a librarian. librarian.

Racism and Group Racism and Group SuperioritySuperiority

• There is still an example of class There is still an example of class superiority as the duke, held up superiority as the duke, held up as the hero, is clearly of noble as the hero, is clearly of noble status. Further, he shows that status. Further, he shows that his education and manners are his education and manners are better than his rival for the better than his rival for the heroine’s affection.heroine’s affection.

EducationEducation

• Education, in terms of Education, in terms of academics, intelligence, and academics, intelligence, and social skills like manners and social skills like manners and treating women “properly,” are treating women “properly,” are all used as positives in the film.all used as positives in the film.

ReligiosityReligiosity

• Love is portrayed as an almost Love is portrayed as an almost spiritual experience in the film, spiritual experience in the film, especially in the moment the lovers especially in the moment the lovers are reunited. The jumping to and are reunited. The jumping to and from the past as fated gives it a from the past as fated gives it a larger than real significance. Love larger than real significance. Love for science on the men’s part is for science on the men’s part is clearly held up as more spiritual clearly held up as more spiritual than the heroine’s love for her than the heroine’s love for her work.work.

Romantic LoveRomantic Love

• The whole plot hinges and The whole plot hinges and depends on the supremacy of depends on the supremacy of this value, of course, as do this value, of course, as do romance novels.romance novels.