Making Meaning

Making Meaning, published in 1988 by Wadsworth, emerged during a period when literary theory and structuralism were increasingly influencing undergraduate humanities curricula. Eric Gould designed this textbook to provide students with a cohesive framework for interpreting cultural texts, blending classical rhetorical traditions with contemporary post-structuralist perspectives. It served as a pedagogical tool meant to bridge the gap between abstract academic theory and practical literary analysis.

The volume is recognized for its structured approach to semiotics and the construction of meaning within narrative forms. Gould sought to distill complex theoretical conversations into an accessible format for university students, emphasizing how authors and readers co-create significance. While it was not a crossover success for a general trade audience, it remained a staple in various English and communications departments throughout the late 1980s and 1990s as a foundational text for critical theory courses.