Question

Which of the following critics belong to the deconstructionist school?

• A. Jacques Derrida
• B. Paul de Man
• C. J. Hillis Miller
• D. Kate Soper

Hint:

For deconstructionist critics, focus on figures like Jacques Derrida and Paul de Man. Their work revolves around the instability of meaning in texts and the deconstruction of binary oppositions.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A, B

Deconstruction is a critical theory and philosophical movement that originated in the 1960s, primarily associated with the works of Jacques Derrida. Derrida's ideas focus on the instability of meaning in language, questioning the assumption that words can have fixed meanings and challenging traditional ideas about texts, authorship, and interpretation. He argued that meaning is always deferred and never fully present, a concept that became central to deconstructionist thought. Paul de Man was another central figure in deconstructionism. He applied Derrida's theories to literary analysis, focusing on the contradictions and ambiguities in texts and challenging traditional readings. He is best known for his work in literary theory and his critique of historical materialism in literature. J. Hillis Miller is also associated with deconstruction, but his focus is more on the application of Derrida's ideas to literature and narrative. He is known for his exploration of the role of interpretation in literary criticism, but he is a secondary figure compared to Derrida and de Man. Kate Soper is a philosopher and environmental critic, but she is not typically associated with the deconstructionist school. Her work primarily deals with issues of ethics, philosophy, and the environment.