Constructionism in Literature & Literary Theory

Constructionism: Etymology and Concept

The term “constructionism” is derived from the word “construct,” which in turn comes from the Latin word “construere,” meaning “to build” or “to put together.”

In an educational and philosophical context, “constructionism” signifies the idea that individuals actively “construct” their knowledge and understanding, as if they were assembling their mental frameworks or models of reality through their experiences and interactions. This etymological connection underscores the concept’s emphasis on the active and participatory nature of knowledge formation.

“Constructionism” is an educational theory and philosophical concept that asserts individuals actively construct their knowledge and understanding through their experiences and interactions, emphasizing that learning is an active, context-dependent process. This theory highlights the idea that learners are not passive recipients of information but rather actively participate in shaping their own mental models of reality, contributing to a deeper and more meaningful comprehension of concepts and phenomena.

Constructionism: Meanings

Aspect	Meanings
Educational Constructionism	Learning theory by Seymour Papert, emphasizes active knowledge construction through hands-on experiences, especially with technology.
Philosophical Constructionism	Rooted in epistemology and philosophy, asserts active individual knowledge construction through experiences and interactions.
Sociological Constructionism	In sociology, views reality as socially constructed, with knowledge, categories, and institutions arising from social agreement and negotiation.
Literary Constructionism	In literature, suggests meaning is actively constructed by readers, influenced by interpretations and social contexts, rather than inherent in the text.
Psychological Constructionism	In psychology, individuals construct perceptions, memories, and emotions, emphasizing cognition’s role in shaping mental representations.
Post-Structuralist Constructionism	Associated with post-structuralism, posits fluid, non-fixed meanings influenced by language, interpretation, power dynamics, and societal constructs.

Constructionism: Theoretical Term Definition

Constructionism, as a theoretical term, posits that individuals actively construct their knowledge and understanding of the world through their experiences and interactions.

It emphasizes the dynamic and context-dependent nature of knowledge acquisition, highlighting personal agency in shaping one’s comprehension of reality. This framework underscores the idea that learning is an active, participatory process where learners actively build their own mental models, contributing to a deeper and more meaningful understanding of concepts and phenomena.

Constructionism: Theorists, Works, and Arguments

Theorists:

1. Seymour Papert: Seymour Papert is a prominent figure associated with constructionism, particularly in the field of education. He developed the theory of constructionism, emphasizing the role of hands-on experiences, particularly with technology, in active knowledge construction by learners.
2. Jean Piaget: While not exclusively a constructionist, Piaget’s work in developmental psychology has influenced constructionism. His theory of cognitive development emphasizes how individuals actively construct their knowledge through stages of mental development.

Key Works:

1. Mindstorms: Children, Computers, and Powerful Ideas by Seymour Papert: In this book, Papert outlines the principles of constructionism and discusses how technology, particularly computers, can be used to facilitate active learning and knowledge construction among children.
2. The Construction of Reality in the Child by Jean Piaget: In this work, Piaget explores his constructivist theories, which lay the foundation for the constructionist perspective. He discusses how children actively construct their understanding of the world through cognitive development.

Core Arguments:

1. Active Knowledge Construction: Constructionism argues that individuals actively build their knowledge and understanding of the world, rather than passively absorbing information. This active construction is a central tenet of the theory.
2. Role of Hands-On Experiences: Constructionism emphasizes the importance of hands-on experiences and interactive technologies in facilitating active learning. These experiences are seen as vital tools for knowledge construction.
3. Context-Dependent Learning: Constructionism highlights the idea that learning is context-dependent, and learners construct their understanding based on their unique experiences and interactions. It underscores the dynamic nature of knowledge acquisition.
4. Influence of Social and Cultural Contexts: Some constructionist perspectives, particularly in the sociological and literary domains, argue that meaning and knowledge are influenced by social and cultural contexts, reflecting the social construction of reality.
5. Critique of Traditional Education: Constructionism often critiques traditional educational methods that rely on passive learning and memorization. It argues for more active, participatory, and hands-on approaches to education.

Constructionism: in Literary Theories

Constructionism is relevant in various literary theories and plays a significant role in understanding how meaning is created and interpreted in literature. Here are some literary theories in which constructionism is relevant and how it is applied:

1. Reader-Response Theory: Constructionism is highly relevant in reader-response theory. This theory emphasizes that readers actively construct meaning from a text. Readers bring their own experiences, emotions, and interpretations to the reading process, which influences the way they understand and interact with a literary work. Constructionism highlights the dynamic and individual nature of reader response, as readers actively participate in shaping the meaning of a text.
2. Deconstructionism: Deconstruction, a critical theory associated with constructionism, challenges the notion of stable, fixed meanings in texts. It argues that language is inherently unstable and that meaning is constructed through a play of language and interpretation. Deconstructionists, such as Jacques Derrida, emphasize the fluid and contingent nature of meaning in literary texts, deconstructing traditional interpretations and revealing the multiplicity of possible meanings.
3. Sociological Literary Theory: In sociological literary theories, constructionism is relevant in examining how literature reflects and constructs social and cultural realities. Constructionism in this context emphasizes that literary meanings are not inherent in the text but are actively constructed by readers within the framework of their social and cultural contexts. It highlights the role of social constructs, power dynamics, and cultural influences in shaping the interpretation of literary works.
4. Postmodernism: Postmodern literary theory often incorporates constructionist ideas. Postmodern literature challenges traditional notions of fixed meanings and emphasizes the play of language and interpretation. It explores how meaning is constructed and deconstructed within the text, reflecting the influence of post-structuralist and constructionist perspectives.

In these literary theories, constructionism underscores the idea that readers are active participants in the creation of meaning in literature. It challenges the notion of an objective, stable meaning in texts and highlights the role of individual interpretation, social context, and the dynamic nature of literary understanding. Constructionism in literary theories contributes to a richer and more nuanced understanding of how literature is created, interpreted, and appreciated.

Constructionism: Application in Critiques

Novel	Critique/Analysis
One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez (Colombia)	Constructionist Analysis: In this Colombian novel, constructionism can be applied to explore how readers from diverse cultural backgrounds actively construct meaning from the magical realism and complex narrative structures, which may be unfamiliar to some. Critique: A constructionist critique of “One Hundred Years of Solitude” when read by foreign audiences might highlight the challenges and rewards of interpreting a narrative steeped in Latin American history, culture, and the fusion of reality and fantasy. It showcases how readers construct their understanding of themes like time, family, and the cyclical nature of life while navigating a foreign literary landscape.
The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle by Haruki Murakami (Japan)	Constructionist Analysis: In this Japanese novel, constructionism can be used to analyze how readers from different cultural backgrounds actively engage with the text’s surreal and enigmatic elements, such as talking cats and parallel worlds. Critique: A constructionist critique of “The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle” for foreign readers may emphasize the active interpretation required to navigate the novel’s blend of mysticism and the everyday. It can discuss how readers construct their understanding of identity, loss, and the complex interplay of memory and reality, drawing on their own cultural contexts.
The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón (Spain)	Constructionist Analysis: In this Spanish novel, constructionism can be applied to examine how readers construct meaning from the book’s labyrinthine plot, rich literary references, and historical setting in post-Civil War Barcelona. Critique: A constructionist critique of “The Shadow of the Wind” for foreign readers can explore the challenges and pleasures of interpreting a story deeply rooted in Spanish history and literature. It highlights how readers construct their understanding of themes like love, books, and the power of storytelling in the context of a foreign culture.
Blindness by José Saramago (Portugal)	Constructionist Analysis: In this Portuguese novel, constructionism can be used to explore how readers actively engage with the text’s allegorical elements, where sudden blindness serves as a metaphor for societal collapse. Critique: A constructionist critique of “Blindness” when read by foreign audiences may focus on how readers construct their understanding of the human condition, social order, and resilience when encountering a narrative that uses blindness as a symbol. It underscores the role of cultural perspectives in shaping the interpretation of the novel.

Constructionism: Suggested Readings

1. Papert, Seymour. Mindstorms: Children, Computers, and Powerful Ideas. Basic Books, 1993.
2. Piaget, Jean. The Construction of Reality in the Child. Basic Books, 1954.
3. Vygotsky, Lev S. Mind in Society: The Development of Higher Psychological Processes. Harvard University Press, 1978.