Binary Opposition in Literature & Literary Theory

Etymology of Binary Opposition

The term “binary opposition” is a concept that occurs in structuralist and post-structuralist linguistic theory. It is not a word with a traditional etymological origin. However, the two key components of the term, “binary” and “opposition,” each have their own etymological roots:

1. Binary: The word “binary” comes from the Latin word “binarius,” which means “consisting of two.” It is related to the Latin word “bini,” which means “two by two” or “in pairs.” The term “binary” is commonly used in various fields to describe systems or concepts that involve two distinct and contrasting elements.
2. Opposition: The word “opposition” is derived from the Latin word “oppositio,” which is a combination of “ob” (against) and “ponere” (to place). It refers to the act of placing things against each other or in contrast to each other. In linguistics and literary theory, “opposition” is used to describe the relationship between two contrasting or antithetical elements within a linguistic or conceptual system.

In the context of literary theory and structuralism, “binary opposition” refers to the structural relationship between two contrasting or opposing elements such as light and dark, male and female, good and evil. They are often used to create meaning and structure within narratives and language. This concept is particularly associated with the work of structuralist theorists like Ferdinand de Saussure and Claude Lévi-Strauss.

Meanings of Binary Opposition

Binary Opposition in Theory	Meanings
Structuralist Linguistics	In linguistics, binary opposition refers to the fundamental concept of contrasting pairs of elements or concepts in language, such as phonemes, morphemes, or syntactic structures. It is a central idea in the structuralist approach to language analysis, as championed by Ferdinand de Saussure.
Literary Theory	In literary theory, binary opposition denotes the pairing of contrasting themes, characters, or concepts within a narrative or text. These opposing elements often serve to create conflict, meaning, and structure in literature. It has been influential in various literary theories, including structuralism and post-structuralism.
Cultural Studies	Beyond linguistics and literature, binary opposition is applied in cultural studies to analyze how societies construct meaning through contrasting pairs of concepts, such as civilization/barbarism or self/other. This concept helps examine how power dynamics and social hierarchies are established through the binary categorization of ideas and identities.
Post-Structuralism	In post-structuralist thought, binary opposition is deconstructed and critiqued. Scholars like Jacques Derrida and Michel Foucault argue that such oppositions are not fixed and natural but are socially constructed and subject to change. Post-structuralism questions the stability and hierarchy implied by binary oppositions.

Definition of Binary Opposition as a Theoretical Term

Binary Opposition, as a theoretical term in literary theory, refers to a fundamental concept that centers on the categorization and exploration of contrasting pairs of elements or concepts within a narrative or text. This concept serves as a critical tool for analyzing the inherent tension, conflict, and structural organization present in literature. By juxtaposing and highlighting opposing ideas or characters, binary opposition contributes to the development of meaning, themes, and narrative dynamics within literary works.

Binary Opposition: Theorists, Works and Arguments

Theorists:

• Ferdinand de Saussure: The Swiss linguist who introduced the concept of binary opposition as a fundamental principle in structuralist linguistics, emphasizing the contrast between linguistic elements as a basis for meaning.
• Claude Lévi-Strauss: A prominent anthropologist and structuralist thinker who applied binary oppositions to analyze cultural myths and narratives, proposing that they reflect deep structures of the human mind.
• Jacques Derrida: A post-structuralist philosopher known for deconstructing binary oppositions, arguing that they are not stable or hierarchical but are contingent and subject to interpretation.

Works:

• Course in General Linguistics (1916) by Ferdinand de Saussure: Saussure’s influential work lays the foundation for structuralist linguistics and introduces the concept of binary oppositions in language.
• The Structural Study of Myth (1955) by Claude Lévi-Strauss: In this essay, Lévi-Strauss applies binary oppositions to the analysis of myths, demonstrating how they reveal underlying cultural structures.
• Of Grammatology (1967) by Jacques Derrida: Derrida challenges the stability of binary oppositions and argues for the deconstruction of such pairs, introducing the concept of “différance.”

Arguments:

• Structural Analysis: The concept of binary opposition is used for structural analysis, revealing how contrasting elements contribute to the organization and meaning of texts, both in language and culture.
• Deconstruction: Post-structuralist thinkers like Derrida argue against the fixed and hierarchical nature of binary oppositions, contending that they are contingent and subject to reinterpretation.
• Narrative and Conflict: Binary oppositions often serve as the basis for narrative conflict and character development in literature, highlighting the tension between opposing forces or ideas.

These theorists, works, and arguments provide a foundational understanding of the role of binary opposition in linguistics, cultural analysis, and literary theory.

Binary Opposition and Literary Theories

Binary opposition is a concept that plays a significant role in several relevant literary theories, contributing to the analysis and interpretation of literature in distinct ways. Here are some of the key literary theories where binary opposition is relevant, along with their significance:

1. Structuralism:

• Significance: Structuralism, notably championed by Ferdinand de Saussure, emphasizes the importance of binary oppositions in language and literature. In structuralism, binary pairs of linguistic elements (such as good/evil, man/woman) are seen as fundamental in organizing meaning. They help reveal how language operates and how meaning is constructed through contrast.

2. Post-Structuralism:

• Significance: Post-structuralism, represented by Jacques Derrida and Michel Foucault, challenges the stability and hierarchy of binary oppositions. It argues that these oppositions are not fixed and that they often conceal complexities and power dynamics. Derrida’s concept of “deconstruction” involves examining binary pairs to uncover hidden meanings and contradictions.

3. Feminist Literary Theory:

• Significance: In feminist literary theory, binary oppositions are used to explore gender roles and stereotypes. The concept of the “male gaze,” as discussed by Laura Mulvey, highlights how binary gender distinctions influence the representation of women in literature and film. Feminist scholars analyze and critique these oppositions to address issues of power, agency, and identity.

4. Postcolonial Literary Theory:

• Significance: Postcolonial theory employs binary oppositions to examine the colonial perspective and the power dynamics at play in colonial and postcolonial narratives. It explores how these oppositions, such as colonizer/colonized, are used to depict and often stereotype different cultures and identities. Postcolonial scholars deconstruct these oppositions to challenge Eurocentric viewpoints.

5. Queer Theory:

• Significance: Queer theory uses binary oppositions to explore sexuality and identity in literature. It questions traditional heteronormative distinctions (e.g., heterosexual/homosexual) and analyzes how these binary categories are challenged or subverted in texts. Queer theorists highlight how non-normative desires and identities disrupt established norms.

6. Psychoanalytic Literary Theory:

• Significance: Psychoanalytic theory, influenced by Sigmund Freud and Jacques Lacan, looks at binary oppositions as mirrors of psychological dynamics. Characters’ conflicts, desires, and anxieties are often represented through these oppositions. It helps in understanding the inner workings of characters’ minds and motivations in literature.

7. Reader-Response Theory:

• Significance: Reader-response theory acknowledges that readers’ interpretations are shaped by binary oppositions and their own subjectivities. Readers engage with texts through their own perspectives, and these oppositions influence their understanding and emotional response. It underscores the importance of individual reader engagement with the text.

Binary Opposition in Literary Criticism

Literary Work	Binary Opposition	Significance
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley	Creator vs. Creation	In Shelley’s novel, the binary opposition between Victor Frankenstein (the creator) and the Creature (his creation) is central. This opposition serves as a vehicle for exploring themes of responsibility, morality, and the consequences of scientific ambition.
“Ode to a Nightingale” by John Keats	Life vs. Death	Keats’ poem presents the binary opposition of the fleeting, ecstatic experience of life and the eternal, unchanging realm of death represented by the nightingale’s song. This contrast highlights the tension between the transient nature of human existence and the allure of timeless beauty.
“The Tell-Tale Heart” by Edgar Allan Poe	Sanity vs. Madness	In this psychological thriller, the binary opposition of the narrator’s claims of sanity and the evidence of his madness through his actions creates a sense of suspense and horror. Poe uses this opposition to explore the limits of human reason and the descent into madness.
“Macbeth” by William Shakespeare	Ambition vs. Conscience	In Shakespeare’s tragedy, the binary opposition between Macbeth’s unchecked ambition and his tormenting conscience plays a central role. This opposition drives the character’s moral decline and the overarching theme of the corrupting influence of power.

Suggested Readings

1. Barthes, Roland. Mythologies. Translated by Annette Lavers, Hill and Wang, 2013.
2. Culler, Jonathan. Structuralist Poetics: Structuralism, Linguistics, and the Study of Literature. Routledge, 2002.
3. Derrida, Jacques. Of Grammatology. Translated by Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak, Johns Hopkins University Press, 1998.
4. Foucault, Michel. The Order of Things: An Archaeology of the Human Sciences. Vintage, 1994.
5. Freud, Sigmund. The Interpretation of Dreams. Translated by James Strachey, Oxford University Press, 1999.
6. Lévi-Strauss, Claude. The Structural Study of Myth. Yale University Press, 1989.
7. Saussure, Ferdinand de. Course in General Linguistics. Translated by Wade Baskin, Open Court, 1986.
8. Shakespeare, William. Macbeth. Edited by Barbara A. Mowat and Paul Werstine, Simon & Schuster, 2003.
9. Shelley, Mary. Frankenstein. Edited by J. Paul Hunter, W. W. Norton & Company, 2012.
10. Stevenson, Robert Louis. Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Dover Publications, 2003.