Barthes: A Very Short IntroductionThis acclaimed short study, originally published in 1983, and now thoroughly updated, elucidates the varied theoretical contributions of Roland Barthes (1915-80), the 'incomparable enlivener of the literary mind' whose lifelong fascination was with the way people make their world intelligible. He has a multi-faceted claim to fame: to some he is the structuralist who outlined a 'science of literature', and the most prominent promoter of semiology; to others he stands not for science but pleasure, espousing a theory of literature which gives the reader a creative role. This book describes the many projects, which Barthes explored and which helped to change the way we think about a range of cultural phenomena - from literature, fashion, wrestling, and advertising to notions of the self, of history, and of nature. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable. |
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activity analyses argues attempt avant-garde Barthes par Barthes Barthes’s becomes body bringing calls characters claims codes complètes concern conventions create criticism cultural death Degré zéro describe desire discourse discussion distinction effect Essais critiques everything example experience explains explore fact fashion figure fragments France French function gives human idea identify ideology imaginative important intellectual intelligible interest interpretations John language later lecture linguistic literary literature longer meaning mode myth Mythologies narrative natural notes notion novel objects particular past perhaps plays pleasure poetry political position possible practice precisely present Press produce promote published question Racine reader reference reflections relation Roland Barthes role rules seeks seems semiology sense shows signifying signs social speak structuralism structuralist suggests theatre theoretical theory things thinking thought treated University writing