Actant: Etymology/Term, Meanings and Concept
Etymology: The term “actant,” rooted in the Latin verb “agere” (to do/act), inherently denotes its narrative function as an entity actively involved in an action or its consequence.
Meanings:
Narrative Theory:
- Fundamental Building Blocks: Actants transcend individual characters, representing pivotal roles within a story’s structure.
- Six Pillars: The Subject (desires Object), Object (desired entity), Sender (initiates communication), Receiver (receives communication), Helper (aids Subject), and Opponent (obstructs Subject) form the narrative’s foundational framework.
- Beyond the Surface: Actants delve deeper than character names, signifying the underlying narrative functions performed by various entities (human, non-human, objects, concepts, etc.).
Expanding Horizons:
- Linguistics: Actants extend their reach, analyzing word function beyond mere content.
- Sociology: They represent active players within social systems, dissecting their roles in interactions.
- Computer Science: Software systems come alive with actants, entities that interact and drive program functionality.
By understanding actants, we gain a deeper appreciation for the intricate workings of narratives and various other domains, allowing for more nuanced analysis and interpretation.
Actant: Definition of a Theoretical Term
An actant is a theoretical term used in semiotics and narrative analysis to describe entities that have agency or contribute to the action within a narrative or discourse. Actants can be human or non-human, tangible or abstract, and they play various roles such as protagonists, antagonists, or supporting characters. The concept emphasizes the dynamic interplay between different elements in a narrative or discourse, highlighting their roles in shaping meaning and driving the narrative forward.
Actant: Theorists, Works and Arguments
Key Proponents:
- A.J. Greimas: Established the foundational actantial model in Structural Semantics: An Introduction and Semiotics and Language.
- Roland Barthes: Pioneered its application in narrative analysis through works like Mythologies and Image-Music-Text.
- Algirdas Julien Greimas: Refined the model, building upon his father’s work in On Meaning.
Seminal Works:
- Sémantique Structurale: Recherche de méthode (Greimas): Lays the theoretical groundwork for the actantial model.
- Sémiotique et Langage (Greimas): Expands the model’s application to diverse narratives.
- Narratologie Transformatonnelle (Genette): Delves into actants within narrative transformations and transpositions.
Core Arguments:
- Actants provide a universal framework for analyzing narrative structure across cultures and genres.
- They transcend specific characters, capturing fundamental narrative roles and functions.
- Examining actants reveals deeper meanings, power dynamics, and underlying structures within narratives.
Actor-Network Theory (ANT):
Pioneers and Key Contributors:
- Bruno Latour: Introduced ANT in Science in Action and We Have Never Been Modern.
- Michel Callon: Co-developed the theory, focusing on agency within networks (Mapping the Dynamics of Socio-Economic Change).
- John Law: Explored power and agency in networks through works like Power, Action and Belief.
Foundational Texts:
- Science in Action (Latour): Introduces and demonstrates the application of ANT in scientific studies.
- Actor-Network Theory: A Critical Introduction (Law): Provides a comprehensive overview of ANT’s core concepts.
- Assembling Theory (Deleuze & Guattari): Offers a philosophical framework for understanding networks and actants.
Key Tenets:
- Actants extend beyond human actors, encompassing anything that influences interactions and outcomes within a network.
- Agency is not inherent but emerges through connections, interactions, and power dynamics within the network.
- ANT provides a flexible framework for analyzing diverse interactions in social, technological, and scientific spheres.
Important Considerations:
- These represent two prominent applications of “actant,” and its meaning may vary in other fields.
- Each theorist offers their own unique interpretation and application, warranting further exploration.
- Debates and critiques regarding actants and their roles continue to shape these theoretical frameworks.
Actant: Major Characteristics
| Actant | Narrative Theory Characteristics | Literary Reference (Narrative Theory) | Actor-Network Theory Characteristics |
| Subject | Desires the Object | Luke Skywalker (desires to defeat the Empire) in Star Wars | Disease outbreak (acts upon a population, shaping healthcare policies) |
| Object | The desired entity | The Death Star (represents power and domination) in Star Wars | A new technology (influences social interactions and communication) |
| Sender | Initiates communication | Yoda (provides wisdom and guidance) in Star Wars | A social media platform (connects and influences users) |
| Receiver | Receives communication | Luke Skywalker (learns and acts upon Yoda’s wisdom) in Star Wars | A research paper (influences future scientific studies) |
| Helper | Aids the Subject | Obi-Wan Kenobi (assists Luke) in Star Wars | A natural disaster relief organization (helps communities rebuild) |
| Opponent | Obstructs the Subject | Darth Vader (opposes Luke) in Star Wars | A powerful corporation (exerts control over markets) |
Actant: Relevance in Literary Theories
| Aspect | Explanation | Example |
| Narrative Structure | Identify core roles and functions within the story | Analyzing the roles of “hero” and “villain” in a fairy tale |
| Character Analysis | Understand motivations and complexities beyond descriptions | Examining how Gatsby’s desire for Daisy (Object) drives his actions |
| Literary Interpretation | Uncover power structures and social commentary | Deconstructing the portrayal of women (Opponents) in a patriarchal society |
| Specific Theories | Greimas: analyzing desires and obstacles (Subject & Object) | Identifying the Subject’s (Frodo) desire (the Ring) and Opponent (Sauron) in Lord of the Rings |
| Benefits | – Universal framework for diverse narratives – Reveals deeper meaning and power dynamics – Enables comparative analysis and critique |
Further Exploration:
- Apply actants to analyze specific literary works.
- Compare how different theories utilize actants.
- Remember actants are tools, not absolutes, requiring critical thinking and context-specific interpretation.
Actant: Application in Critiques
1. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë:
- Subject: Jane (desires independence, self-expression, and love)
- Object: Freedom, education, and a fulfilling relationship
- Sender: St. John Rivers (offers religious calling and stability)
- Receiver: Jane (must choose between societal expectations and personal desires)
- Helper: Rochester (initially opposes but later aids Jane’s self-discovery)
- Opponent: Society’s rigid expectations and Rochester’s past transgressions
Critique: The novel critiques patriarchal norms through Jane’s struggle against societal constraints and her fight for self-determination. Actants highlight the power dynamics between individuals and societal forces.
2. Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe:
- Subject: Okonkwo (desires upholding tradition and masculinity)
- Object: Maintaining clan honor and cultural values
- Sender: Colonial forces (introduce new beliefs and disrupt traditions)
- Receiver: Okonkwo and the Igbo community (must grapple with change)
- Helper: None – Okonkwo’s rigid adherence to tradition isolates him.
- Opponent: Colonialism and its disruptive influence on cultural identity
Critique: The actantial model exposes the conflict between tradition and modernity, highlighting the impact of colonialism on individual lives and collective identity.
3. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald:
- Subject: Jay Gatsby (desires reclaiming Daisy and the past)
- Object: Daisy Buchanan (represents unattainable wealth and lost love)
- Sender: Nick Carraway (observes and narrates the events)
- Receiver: The reader (must interpret Gatsby’s motivations and the societal critique)
- Helper: None – Gatsby’s obsession with the past hinders his pursuit.
- Opponent: Social class barriers and the hollowness of the American Dream
Critique: Analyzing actants reveals the characters’ entrapment in social constructs and the destructive nature of unattainable desires. The narrative critiques materialism and social hierarchies.
4. One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez:
- Subject: The Buendía family (desires escaping their cyclical fate)
- Object: Breaking free from isolation, repetition, and self-destruction
- Sender: Ghosts of the past and magical realism elements
- Receiver: The Buendía family and Macondo (must confront their legacies)
- Helper: None – The family remains trapped in their patterns.
- Opponent: Internal flaws, historical cycles, and external forces
Critique: The actantial model underscores the cyclical nature of history and the characters’ struggle against their predetermined fate. The narrative critiques colonialism, violence, and the human condition.
Actant: Relevant Terms
| Term | Field | Short Definition |
| Narrative Function | Narrative Theory | Fundamental role within a story structure |
| Dramatis Personae | Literature | Characters in a play or narrative |
| Agent | Actor-Network Theory | Entity able to act, influencing a network |
| Role | Sociology | Social position or function |
| Theme | Literary Analysis | Recurring idea or message in a work |
| Motif | Literary Analysis | Repeated element with symbolic meaning |
| Character Archetype | Literature | Universal character type with recurring traits |
| Persona | Psychology | Aspect of an individual’s personality |
| Force | Physics | Entity exerting influence or causing change |
| Construct | Social Science | Concept or idea created and shaped by society |
Actant: Suggested Readings
- Greimas, Algirdas Julien. On Meaning. 1983. Amazon Link
- Greimas, Algirdas Julien. Sémantique Structurale: Recherche de méthode. 1966. PDF
- Greimas, Algirdas Julien. Structural Semantics: An Introduction. 1979. [Unavailable URL]
- Greimas, Algirdas Julien. Sémiotique et Langage. 1966. [Unavailable URL]
- Herman, David, Manfred Jahn, and Marie-Laure Ryan, eds. The Routledge Critical Dictionary of Narrative Theory and Analysis. 2010. Taylor & Francis
- Latour, Bruno. Science in Action: How to Follow Scientists and Engineers through Society. 1987. Amazon Link
- Latour, Bruno. We Have Never Been Modern. 1993. PDF
- Law, John. Actor-Network Theory: A Critical Introduction. 2009. Routledge
- Alasuutari, Päivi, and Mikko Honkasalo, eds. Narratives from Finland: Perspective on the Use of Narrative Analysis in Qualitative Research. 2018. PDF