This document provides information about binary oppositions including: - A definition of binary opposition as a pair of related terms that are opposites in meaning, such as positive-negative. - The origins of binary opposition in Saussurean structuralist theory where units have meaning based on their relation to another term. - Examples of binaries in literature, religion, and society including male-female, hero-villain, heaven-hell, and obedience-disobedience. - How authors use binaries to explore differences between groups and the problems that can arise from rigid categorization, as shown in J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series.

1. Name:-Heerva Bhatt
Course :-M.A.(Sem.2)
Paper no.:-7 (Literary theory and criticism The 20th
Western &Indian Poetics-2)
Roll no.:-11
Batch:-2017-2019
Email Id:-heervabhatt96@gmail.com
Submitted to :-Smt.S.B.Gardi Department of English,
Bhavnagar.

2. Definition :-
A Binary oposition is a pair
of related terms or concepts that are
opposite in meaning.
EXAMPLE :-
■Positive-Negative
■Male-Female
■Hero-Villain
■Handsome-Ugly

3. History:-
• Originated in Saussurean structuralist theory;
●The binary Oposition is the means by which the units of
language have value or meaning.
●Each unit is defined in reciprocal determination with
another term.
●It is not a contradictory relation but,a structuralist,
complementary one.
• Sign’s meaning is derived from its context:-
Example:-
One can’t conceive of ‘good‘if we don’t understand ‘evil’.

4. Concept of Binaries in Islam:-
• Originated from the very first day the world was created
■Creation of Adam and Bint-e-Hawa.
■Angel and devil
■Concept of Heaven and Hell
■Obedience and Disobedience
■Halal and Haram
■Reward and Punishment
■Birth and Death

5. According to Jacques Derrida;
Meaning in the west is defined in terms of Binary
Opositions, “A violent hierarchy” Where “One of the two terms
governs the other.”
Example
Within the white/black binary opposition in the United
States.

6. ● Binary oposition in Literature :-
The Problems with system of Binary Opositions;
□Boundaries between groups of people.
□Leads to prejudice and discrimination.
In Literature;
• Authors use to explore differences between groups of
individuals , such as cultural ,class or Gender differences.
• What can result from those perceived differences?

7. ■ Use of Binaries in Literature :
Ex. J.K.Rowling’s Novel , “Harry Potter”
:
• These are two major groups :
The Magical community and
Non-Magical Community.
• The Muggle-born and half-bloods.
• The Evil wizard Lord Voldemort.
• The Use of Dark magic.

8. • Through this novel
J.K.Rowling;
■Shows the dangers
of creating such
categorizations within
society.
Consider this image of a
poster;
■ ‘Only one can
survive’,reinfonforcing the
idea of Binary Oposition.

9. Conclusion :-
• Two word related in terms of opposites are binary oppositions.
• Structralism says a word is defined of the basis of its opposite
word.
• In Literature authors have tried to explain the outcomes of
Binary opposition in the society.
• What we conclude is ;
“Binary Oppositions are the backbone of any
language,culture and philosophy.”

10. Thank You.