Books Quote by Jonathan Culler
“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
Source Book: Literary Theory: A Very Short Introduction, 1997
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.
