Poststructuralism

A Very Short Introduction

De: Catherine Belsey

Narrado por: Bernadette Dunne

Poststructuralism changes the way we understand the relations between human beings, their culture, and the world. Following a brief account of the historical relationship between structuralism and poststructuralism, this Very Short Introduction traces the key arguments that have led poststructuralists to challenge traditional theories of language and culture. While the author discusses such well-known figures as Barthes, Foucault, Derrida, and Lacan, she also draws pertinent examples from literature, art, film, and popular culture, unfolding the poststructuralist account of what it means to be a human being.

©2002 Catherine Belsey (P)2021 Tantor

Brilliantly done, excellent narration

Surprised how solid and clear the analysis is and the smooth narration — including complicated names of authors

Comprehensible!

This little number will introduce to poststructuralism in a short, illustrative, and non-pretentious manner. The length of the book makes it digestible in one or two listens, and Belsey's writing felt more like a friendly explainer to a friend rather than an ostentatious display of complex philosophical jargon. Saussure, Derrida, Lyotard, Barthes, Kristeva, Lacan, Levi Strauss, and Foucault are all discussed (along with others) in the light structuralism, poststructuralism and postmodernism. It is well worth a listen. The one thing i learnt was how people seem to practice post-structural thinking in everyday life.

To be honest, I am not a fan of Bernadette Dunne's voice. She sounds too good to be true, almost like a sexy robot. Sorry.

A brief exploration of a complicated topi

I am not adequately trained to discuss poststructuralism (or any philosophical idea.) But that is one reason that I like these Very Short Introduction books. They give an introduction to the concept so that you have a broad idea of the concept, which allows you to pursue it more fully later (or not.)

Like most of these books, the main content is about 150 pages. I listened to this on audiobook, which may not have been the best choice, but it is what I had. I did not realize when I picked it up that a new edition had been published. In something as recent as Poststructuralism, the 20-year-old 1st edition was likely dated in ways I do not understand.

The second edition has an additional chapter, and chapter 2 is expanded and chapter 3 is restructured or retitled. Overall I feel like I have a helpful introduction to the subject, but I would not attempt to try to really write about my understanding or evaluate how well the author did in the presentation. The content seemed to be clear, and there was some good humor, but that is as far as I feel like I can go.