Differance in Literature & Literary Theory

Etymology of Differance

The term “differance” coined by the French philosopher Jacques Derrida, is a deliberate play on words that embodies his philosophical ideas. It combines the French words “différer” (to differ or defer) and “déférance” (deference or reference).

Derrida used this neologism to convey the complex nature of meaning and language. “Différance” suggests that meaning in language constantly shifts. It is deferred as words gain significance through their relationships with other words, creating a dynamic and ever-evolving interplay of signification.

Meanings of Differance

Meaning	Explanation
1. Linguistic Deconstruction	In the context of deconstructionist philosophy, “différance” refers to the idea that meaning in language is not fixed but is always deferred or postponed. It highlights the inherent ambiguity and instability of language, suggesting that words and signs gain their meaning through their relationships with other words and signs.
2. Neologism and Wordplay	“Différance” is a neologism coined by Jacques Derrida, formed by combining the French words “différer” (to differ or defer) and “déférance” (deference or reference). This deliberate wordplay captures the essence of Derrida’s philosophy, emphasizing the complex relationship between language, meaning, and reference.
3. Critique of Fixed Meaning	Derrida’s concept of “différance” challenges traditional philosophical notions of fixed meaning and truth. It encourages a reevaluation of how language constructs reality and highlights the shifting and deferred nature of linguistic signification.
4. Influence on Deconstructionism	“Différance” is a foundational concept in deconstructionist philosophy, influencing how scholars approach texts, language, and the deconstruction of binary oppositions. It has had a profound impact on literary and philosophical discourse.

Definition of Differance as a Theoretical Term

“Differance” refers to the inherent instability and ambiguity of language and meaning. It emphasizes that meaning in language is not fixed but is continually deferred or postponed, creating a web of interconnected signifiers. This concept challenges traditional notions of fixed meaning, highlighting the complexity of linguistic signification and its role in constructing reality in poststructuralism and deconstructionism.

Differance: Theorists, Works and Argument

Theorist	Key Works	Argument
Jacques Derrida	Speech and Phenomena (1967)	Derrida discusses the concept of “differance” in the context of Husserlian phenomenology, highlighting the ways in which meaning is deferred in language.
	Of Grammatology (1967)	He extensively explores “differance” in this foundational work, laying out the complex relationships between speech, writing, and meaning. He argues that written language reveals the deferred nature of linguistic signs.
		His argument centers on the idea that meaning in language is not stable or fixed but is instead deferred and elusive. He contends that language relies on differences between words and signs to convey meaning, and these differences create a network of references that continually defer ultimate meaning. “Differance” challenges traditional notions of fixed meaning and linear communication, emphasizing the complexities of linguistic signification and the inherent instability of language.

Differance and Literary Theories

Literary Theory	Use of Differance
Structuralism	In structuralism, “Differance” challenges the structuralist notion of fixed binary oppositions. It demonstrates that language itself is marked by differences and deferrals, rendering any stable binary structures elusive. For example, “differance” reveals that meanings in language are constantly deferred, challenging the fixed distinctions between signifier and signified.
Deconstruction	Deconstruction, heavily influenced by Derrida’s ideas, incorporates “Differance” as a central concept. Deconstructionists apply “differance” to texts by examining how meaning is deferred, showing that texts contain internal contradictions and complexities that undermine their apparent stability. They reveal how binary oppositions within texts are blurred and disrupted, exposing the inherent ambiguity of language.
Poststructuralism	Poststructuralist literary theories, which include deconstruction, use “differance” to critique the limitations of structuralism and challenge the idea of a fixed, universal meaning in literature. Poststructuralists argue that texts are open to multiple interpretations due to the deferral and differences inherent in language. They emphasize that “differance” highlights the need for nuanced, context-dependent readings of texts.
Reader-Response Theory	Reader-response theorists acknowledge that readers’ interpretations of a text are influenced by the deferrals and differences in language. It underscores that readers actively participate in the production of meaning through their engagement with a text, and their interpretations may vary due to the inherent ambiguity in language.
New Criticism	While New Criticism traditionally focuses on close reading and formal analysis, the concept of “differance” challenges the assumption of a stable, fixed meaning within a text. New Critics recognize that even within tightly woven texts, there exist layers of meaning that are deferred and open to multiple interpretations.
Postcolonialism	Postcolonial literary theorists apply “differance” to highlight how colonial discourses are marked by deferrals and differences. They analyze how colonized peoples’ voices and identities are deferred within colonial texts, revealing the complexities of cultural and linguistic domination.
Feminist Literary Theory	Feminist theorists use “differance” to deconstruct gender binary oppositions and show how they are deferred and constructed through language. This approach allows them to explore the nuanced ways in which gender identities and roles are shaped by cultural and linguistic differences.
Queer Theory	Queer theorists employ “Differance” to examine how language and cultural norms construct and defer non-normative sexual identities. They argue that “differance” challenges the fixed categorization of sexual identities and exposes the fluidity and complexity of sexual orientation.

Examples: Differance in Literary Criticism

Literary Work	Application of Differance in Criticism
White Noise by Don DeLillo (1985)	In White Noise, differance shows th analysis of the portrayal of consumer culture and its influence on characters’ identities. The novel’s use of advertising jargon, brand names, and consumer products highlights the characters’ alienation and disconnection from authentic cultural experiences. The exploration of the commodification of death can be seen as a critique of consumer-driven societies.
The Famished Road by Ben Okri (1991)	In The Famished Road, differance is applied to explore how language and symbolism contribute to the deferral of meaning in the novel. The protagonist’s journey challenges conventional distinctions between reality and fantasy within the context of magical realism.
Housekeeping by Marilynne Robinson (1980)	In Housekeeping, differance is analyzed to explore themes of loss, memory, and identity. The narrative’s sense of deferral and ambiguity is evident as characters grapple with their pasts and changing surroundings. Language is used to convey the deferral of meaning, highlighting complex relationships.
Blindness by José Saramago (1995)	In Blindness, differance shows the analysis of the fragility of language and the challenges of conveying meaning when communication breaks down during an epidemic of blindness. The novel underscores the dependence on language in a world without sight.

Suggested Readings

1. Derrida, Jacques. Of Grammatology. Translated by Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak, The Johns Hopkins University Press, 1997.
2. Derrida, Jacques. Margins of Philosophy. Translated by Alan Bass, University of Chicago Press, 1982.
3. Derrida, Jacques. Writing and Difference. Translated by Alan Bass, University of Chicago Press, 1978.
4. Wortham, Simon Morgan, and Yvonne Sherwood. The Derrida Dictionary. Continuum, 2010.
5. Glendinning, Simon. Derrida: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford University Press, 2011.