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Unit 4 · Literary Criticism and Theory English · 2020 cycle (Shift 2)

Which of the following does a deconstructive reading show?

  1. A. A text must always be read in context.
  2. B. 'Il n'y a pas de hors-texte' (there is no outside-text).
  3. C. A text may betray itself.
  4. D. A text may have an ascertainable meaning.
  5. E. Meaning is endlessly deferred.

Pick an option to check yourself, or open the answer below.

Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: C. B, C and E only

Explanation

Derrida (Of Grammatology, 1967): there is nothing outside the text, a text undoes its own oppositions, and différance defers meaning without end.

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