Logocentrism in Literature & Literary Theory

Etymology of Logocentrism

The term logocentrism has its roots in Greek and Latin etymology. It combines “logos,” a Greek word meaning “word” or “reason,” and “centrism,” derived from the Latin word “centrum,” meaning “center.”

In its philosophical and literary context, logocentrism emerged as a concept associated with structuralist and poststructuralist thought. It refers to a belief in the central and privileged position of language and reason in human cognition, where language is seen as the ultimate source of meaning and authority.

Poststructuralist thinkers, notably Jacques Derrida, critiqued logocentrism, arguing that it overlooks the inherent instability and ambiguity of language and challenges the assumption of a fixed and central source of meaning.

Meanings of Logocentrism

Meaning	Explanation
Primacy of Language	It is a belief in language as the central source of meaning.
Binary Oppositions	It uses opposing pairs to establish hierarchical meaning.
Fixed Meanings	It supports the assumption that words have stable, accurate meanings.
Hierarchical Structures	Creation of authority-based language hierarchies.
Critique in Literary Theory	Poststructuralists challenge to logocentric ideas in literature.
Deconstruction	It is about the movement to reveal contradictions in language and text.
Emphasis on the Written Word	Priority is given to written language over spoken language.
Challenges to Authority	It subverts traditional language structures and meanings.
Questioning Stable Meaning	It is the exploration of fluidity and ambiguity of language in literature.

Definition of Logocentrism as a Theoretical Term

Logocentrism is a theoretical term that refers to the philosophical and linguistic belief in the inherent centrality and primacy of language, particularly written language, in shaping and representing human thought, meaning, and reality.

It posits that words and language possess stable and fixed meanings, often overlooking the inherent ambiguity and fluidity of linguistic signs. Logocentrism has been a subject of critique in literary theory, especially within poststructuralism, which challenges the assumption of a central, authoritative source of meaning in texts and language.

Logocentrism: Theorists, Works, and Arguments

Theorists:

• Jacques Derrida: Derrida is a prominent figure who critiqued logocentrism in his work, particularly in Of Grammatology. He argued that language is inherently unstable and that there is no ultimate source of meaning, challenging the idea of a central, fixed signifier.
• Ferdinand de Saussure: Saussure’s structuralist linguistics played a foundational role in discussions of logocentrism. His distinction between signifier and signified contributed to the exploration of how language operates in constructing meaning hierarchies.

Works:

• Of Grammatology by Jacques Derrida: This seminal work by Derrida is a key text in which he deconstructs the logocentric assumptions of Western philosophy and linguistics. He introduces the concept of “différance” to illustrate the inherent instability of language and the absence of a fixed center.
• Course in General Linguistics by Ferdinand de Saussure: Saussure’s work, posthumously published, outlines his structuralist theories on language and semiotics, which have been influential in discussions of logocentrism.

Key Arguments:

• Challenges to Fixed Meaning: Logocentrism has been critiqued for overlooking the complexities of language and the multiple interpretations that can arise from a single text. Critics argue that it fails to acknowledge the fluidity and diversity of meanings that language can convey.
• Deconstruction as a Response: Many literary theorists, influenced by Derrida’s deconstructive approach, have used deconstruction to challenge logocentric assumptions in literary analysis. They emphasize the instability of language and the interplay of multiple interpretations.
• Poststructuralism: Logocentrism is a central target of poststructuralist literary theory, which seeks to dismantle hierarchical structures of meaning and question the idea of a central, authoritative source of signification in texts.

Logocentrism and Literary Theories

Structuralism:

• Logocentrism plays a role in structuralist literary theory by highlighting the role of language in constructing meaning. Structuralists examine how binary oppositions and linguistic structures contribute to logocentric hierarchies within texts. For example, they analyze how certain terms or concepts are privileged over others based on linguistic structures.

Deconstruction:

• Deconstruction, often associated with Jacques Derrida, is a response to logocentrism. It challenges logocentric assumptions by revealing the instability and ambiguity of language. Deconstructionists emphasize that language lacks a fixed center of meaning, leading to multiple interpretations. Derrida’s work, such as Of Grammatology, deconstructs logocentric notions by introducing concepts like “différance” to disrupt the idea of a central signifier.

Poststructuralism:

• Poststructuralist literary theory builds on the deconstructive critique of logocentrism. It questions the idea of a central, authoritative source of meaning in texts and highlights the role of language in constructing multiple, contingent interpretations. Poststructuralists explore how power dynamics, ideology, and cultural context shape logocentric hierarchies within literature.

Feminist Theory:

• In feminist literary theory, logocentrism is relevant in discussions of gendered language and its impact on literature. Feminists critique logocentric structures that may reinforce patriarchal norms and privilege male perspectives. They examine how language constructs gender identities and may marginalize women’s voices.

Queer Theory:

• Queer theorists engage with logocentrism by exploring non-normative experiences of gender and sexuality. They challenge logocentric ideas that may reinforce heteronormative conventions and explore how language constructs and deconstructs queer identities and desires.

Narrative Theory:

• In narrative theory, logocentrism can be relevant when examining the role of language in constructing narrative structures and meaning. Scholars analyze how logocentric hierarchies within a narrative shape the reader’s interpretation and engagement with the text.

Cultural Studies:

• Cultural critics within cultural studies use logocentrism to critique societal norms and values depicted in literature. They explore how texts may reinforce or challenge logocentric assumptions within specific cultural contexts, shedding light on power dynamics and ideologies.

Logocentrism in Literary Criticism

1. Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys:
   • In Wide Sargasso Sea, logocentrism is explored through the character of Bertha Mason, who is the Creole wife of Mr. Rochester from Charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyre. Rhys deconstructs the logocentric representation of Bertha in the original text, providing her with a voice and agency. This challenges the hierarchical structures of colonial and patriarchal discourse present in Jane Eyre and questions the fixed meanings associated with Bertha’s character.
2. The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison:
   • Morrison’s The Bluest Eye challenges logocentrism by deconstructing the traditional standards of beauty and identity in literature. The novel explores how language and societal norms construct the concept of beauty as fixed and central, particularly concerning race and gender. Through her characters, Morrison questions the logocentric ideals that underlie such constructs.
3. The Sound and the Fury by William Faulkner:
   • Faulkner’s modernist masterpiece, The Sound and the Fury, employs multiple narrative perspectives and a fragmented structure to deconstruct logocentrism. The novel challenges the idea of a singular, central narrative voice and highlights the limitations of language in representing subjective experiences. The characters’ internal monologues reveal the instability of meaning and the absence of a fixed center in their individual narratives.
4. Kindred by Octavia E. Butler:
   • In Kindred, Octavia Butler engages with logocentrism through the narrative’s exploration of time and history. The protagonist, Dana, time-travels between the 20th century and a pre-Civil War plantation. This temporal liminality challenges logocentric historical narratives by exposing the fluidity and complexity of history and its representation. The novel raises questions about the authority of historical texts and the instability of historical meaning.

Suggested Readings

1. Derrida, Jacques. Of Grammatology. Translated by Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak, Johns Hopkins University Press, 1997.
2. Saussure, Ferdinand de. Course in General Linguistics. Edited by Charles Bally and Albert Sechehaye, Translated by Wade Baskin, McGraw-Hill Education, 2011.
3. Culler, Jonathan. On Deconstruction: Theory and Criticism after Structuralism. Cornell University Press, 1983.
4. Norris, Christopher. Deconstruction: Theory and Practice. Routledge, 2002.
5. Wolfreys, Julian. Derrida: A Guide for the Perplexed. Continuum, 2008.
6. Johnson, Barbara. The Critical Difference: Essays in the Contemporary Rhetoric of Reading. Johns Hopkins University Press, 1985.
7. Hartman, Geoffrey H. Saving the Text: Literature/Derrida/Philosophy. Johns Hopkins University Press, 1981.
8. Spivak, Gayatri Chakravorty. Outside in the Teaching Machine. Routledge, 1993.
9. Kamuf, Peggy. Signature Pieces: On the Institution of Authorship. Cornell University Press, 1991.
10. Gasché, Rodolphe. The Tain of the Mirror: Derrida and the Philosophy of Reflection. Harvard University Press, 1986.