The Prison-House of Language

Fredric Jameson's survey of Structuralism and Russian Formalism is, at the same time, a critique of their basic methodology. He lays bare the presuppositions of the two movements, clarifying the relationship between the synchronic methods of Saussurean linguistics and the realities of time and history.

"This is a brilliant and provocative book, perhaps most exciting in the suggestion of the new rigor and penetration possible in historical study when we have emerged on the other side of structuralism."

"A densely but lucidly written critique of modern linguistic theory and its application in and implications for formalism and structuralism. . . . The Prison-House of Language ought to be purchased by every library and read by everyone interested in modern thought."