Structuralism, a critical theory originating in linguistics, significantly impacts literature by focusing on the underlying structures that shape texts. It asserts that meaning is derived from the relationships and differences between elements within a text, rather than from individual elements themselves. Structuralists analyze narratives, themes, and characters as part of a larger system of cultural and linguistic structures.

In literature, structuralism examines how texts fit into broader systems of genres, narrative patterns, and literary conventions. It looks for recurring structures and motifs, such as binary oppositions (e.g., good vs. evil, male vs. female) and archetypal characters. By identifying these patterns, structuralists reveal the deep-seated rules and codes that govern literary production and interpretation.

Key figures in structuralism include Ferdinand de Saussure, whose ideas on semiotics laid the groundwork, and Claude Lévi-Strauss, who applied structuralist principles to mythology and anthropology. In literary theory, Roland Barthes and Tzvetan Todorov are prominent figures. Barthes explored how texts are a network of signs and meanings, while Todorov focused on narrative structures and their functions.

Overall, structuralism shifts the focus from authorial intent to the systematic relationships within texts, highlighting how meaning is constructed through language and cultural conventions. This approach has deeply influenced literary criticism, providing tools to deconstruct and understand the complexities of literary works.