Pandora's Postmodern Box: Should We Open It in the Classroom?

Deborah Appleman notes that "Radical rereadings of familiar classics and resistance to what a story says on the surface are consistent with the original aims of deconstruction" (2009, 99). The point of deconstructing a text, or using the postmodern lens to analyze a text, is to see beyond what is said on the surface and to find implied meanings that were likely unnoticed by the author.

I don't remember ever using a postmodern lens during my time in highschool. I was introduced to literary theory predominately during my time as an Arts undergraduate. As far as I have seen during my internship, this is probably the case for many highschool students today.

Appleman notes a series of views on deconstruction. On the one hand, several theorists see deconstruction as naturally appealing for teens. On the other hand, many theorists see deconstruction as either too difficult or no longer relevant (2009, 100).

In my introduction to postmodern theory a concerted effort was made by the professors to clearly analyze and dismantle binary oppositions, a process Appleman notes as important in seeing the limitations of the ideology that one was raised to uphold. It is in this act that I believe the postmodern lenses can facilitate intellectual growth in students.

The idea that deconstruction is irrelevant is a troublesome position, in my opinion. At the same time I do appreciate the dangers of deconstruction seen in the story of Martha Hargrove's class, presented by Appleman. Jessica's concern that the postmodern theory was "destroying" the students is important. Besides the fact that she may have a superficial grasp on her identity (which as a teenager, she is still developing), postmodern theory has a tendency to undercut the legitimacy of ideologies, I find. This is the power of the postmodern lens, and the one reason I would recommend it in the classroom, for it provides a great avenue for students to question and maybe even enact change in the world around them.

Postmodern theory, like any theory, is just that: a theory. It is important to stress to students that postmodern theory, like gender, marxist and other literary criticisms does not provide absolute truths. The idea of absolute truth and postmodern theory seems paradoxical to me. Perhaps the idea of not having a single right answer in a classroom setting seems paradoxical to the students.

Thus far, the modus operandi for the English classrooms I have been in have been to essentially summarize the plot with very little analysis. I plan on asking my cooperating teacher if she would consider introducing literary theory to her students. If properly introduced, I don't see a problem of introducing students with multiple lenses to interpret, and maybe even give life to the literature they are assigned.