Of Grammatology by Jacques Derrida - Exam
- 1. Of Grammatology, written by Jacques Derrida and first published in 1967, is a foundational text in the field of deconstruction and literary theory. In this seminal work, Derrida challenges the traditional Western philosophy that privileges speech over writing, arguing that writing is not a mere secondary form of communication but rather plays a crucial role in the construction of meaning. Through his analysis, he critiques the logocentric tendencies that have shaped philosophical thought, revealing the ways in which language, meaning, and presence are complexly intertwined and unstable. Derrida introduces the concept of 'différance', a term that encapsulates the idea that meaning is always deferred and never fully present. He meticulously examines the works of prominent figures such as Rousseau, Saussure, and Hegel, unraveling the underlying assumptions about the hierarchy of language and the nature of signs. By illuminating the ideological implications of writing, Derrida invites readers to reconsider their understanding of texts and encourages a more nuanced approach to interpretation, ultimately reshaping the landscape of contemporary literary and philosophical discourse.
What is the central concept Derrida critiques in 'Of Grammatology'?
A) Phenomenology
B) Structuralism
C) Logocentrism
D) Existentialism
- 2. Derrida's term 'différance' combines meanings of difference and what?
A) Development
B) Destruction
C) Deferral
D) Definition
- 3. According to Derrida, Western philosophy has traditionally privileged speech over what?
A) Music
B) Painting
C) Mathematics
D) Writing
- 4. Derrida's method of reading texts is called what?
A) Deconstruction
B) Reconstruction
C) Destruction
D) Construction
- 5. What does Derrida mean by 'supplement' in his analysis?
A) Mathematical operation
B) Nutritional addition
C) Something that adds and replaces
D) Medical treatment
- 6. What is 'grammatology' the study of?
A) Language acquisition
B) Sentence structure
C) Grammar rules
D) Writing systems
- 7. Derrida critiques the binary opposition between what two terms?
A) Mind and body
B) Nature and nurture
C) Good and evil
D) Speech and writing
- 8. What does Derrida mean by 'iterability'?
A) Computer programming
B) Mathematical iteration
C) Repeatability with difference
D) Exact repetition
- 9. Derrida's work is often associated with which philosophical movement?
A) Analytic philosophy
B) Empiricism
C) Post-structuralism
D) Rationalism
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