This volume investigates the evolution and impact of structuralism as a methodology for analysis across the humanities. John Sturrock, a noted scholar of French literature and thought, compiles essays that trace the development of structuralist inquiry from its roots in linguistics and anthropology to its subsequent deconstruction. The text provides a framework for understanding how these thinkers shifted the focus of intellectual inquiry toward the underlying systems that govern human culture and language.

Scholars and students frequently cite this work as a clear and accessible introduction to a notoriously dense subject. Experts highlight the book as a foundational text for those seeking to understand the shift from structuralist to post-structuralist thought.