The meaning of a work is not what the author had in mind…
“The meaning of a work is not what the author had in mind at some point, nor is it simply a property of the text or the experience of a reader. Meaning is an inescapable notion because it is not something simple or simply determined. It is simultaneously an experience of a subject and a property of a text. It is both what we understand and what in the text we try to understand.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Meaning arises from the interaction between reader, text, and author, not solely from authorial intent or textual properties.
In simple terms: Meaning is co‑created by reader and text.
Key Takeaway
Consider both perspectives when interpreting.
Themes
interpretation
meaning
reader‑text interaction
Mood
thoughtful
analytical
Type
theoretical
explanatory
When to use this quote
- literary analysis
- teaching literature
- book clubs
- writing workshops
Key Concepts
hermeneutics
subjectivity
textuality
Questions to Reflect On
- How does your experience shape your reading?
- What role does the text play in your understanding?
A Different Perspective
Authorial intent alone cannot determine meaning.