Post-structuralism is a theoretical approach that emerged in the mid-20th century, primarily in response to structuralism. It challenges the idea that meaning is fixed and stable, arguing instead that meaning is fluid and shaped by context, culture, and individual interpretation. This perspective emphasizes the complexity of language and the multiple meanings that can arise from texts and symbols. Key figures in post-structuralism include Jacques Derrida and Michel Foucault, who explored how power, identity, and knowledge are constructed through language and discourse. Post-structuralism encourages critical thinking about how societal norms and truths are formed, suggesting that they can be deconstructed and reinterpreted.