noun
deconstruction
dee-kuhn-STRUK-shuhn/ˌdiːkənˈstrʌkʃn/
Analysis that takes apart something’s structure to examine its underlying assumptions or meanings.
The scholars' deconstruction of the passage reveals hidden assumptions and contradictions.
Etymology
English used the word for architectural “taking to pieces” before it named Derrida’s critical strategy. The philosophical use concerns examining language and ideas to expose their assumptions and contradictions.
In context
deconstruction recognizes the arbitrary of meaning by inverting what Derrida described as quote violent hierarchies end of quote
More examples
- Her deconstruction of the advertisement exposes its assumptions about beauty.
- The essay offers a deconstruction of the familiar hero story.
- Their deconstructions of the speech reveal conflicting ideas about freedom.
Forms
deconstruction · deconstructions
deconstruct verb — Analyze structure to uncover assumptions or meanings.
deconstructive adjective — Examining structure to uncover assumptions or meanings.