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After a brief history, and an explanation of the Barthesian codes, structuralism will be applied to the thirteenth letter of Mariama Ba’s book So Long a Letter. Structuralism is a very effective theory to apply to this particular text because it pays close attention to the context in which the novel is written. “Things cannot be understood in isolation - they have to be seen in the context of the larger structures they are …

…sugar-daddy is a cultural reference that is uncovered by structuralism, and acts such as force and acquiescence are displayed as well. Structuralism is a literary theory that views a work in its entire context, and not in isolation. This type of reading is very utile for a piece such as Ba’s. It reveals and emphasizes certain important aspects of the text that are essential to the effectiveness and enjoyment of a selection of literature.