The Mechanism of the Theoretical Literary Model

Structuralism is the only perspective allowing complete systematization of functions & laws in the study of a literary work. Only at the system level is it possible to specify fully a set of constants, eg, classic works are (1) ancient, (2) important (fundamental), (3) valuable, (4) enduring, (5) authoritative, (6) exemplary, & (7) studied in formal classes. Every system implies a series of levels, micro- & macrosystems, & internal coherence, ie, none of the system's elements can be omitted without destroying its coherence, & rearrangement of system parts must take place at the same level to preserve the same coherence, creating closed theoretical constructs. The system must be treated logically & nonarbitrarily. Formalization is achieved through the system's explicit laws & functions, allowing the critic to perceive a work through its codified signs & symbols. Within this perspective, new models can be created which exist parallel to other models rather than contradictorily. T. Lamb