Sunday, July 21, 2019
Cassidy Woodrum -- Question 4
A large point of emphasis for Foster in his witty guide to reading literature with an analytical perspective is the relationship between reader and writer, leading to the “act of one creative intelligence engaging another” (114). This occurs when the author of any work puts their dreams, fantasies, criticisms, opinions, and personal experiences onto any medium for readers to dissect. As Foster notes so extensively, authors plant symbols, allusions, underlying philosophical and political messages, and more for readers to stumble upon and begin to ponder. However, the true genius of literature is found when the reader is able to question symbolic and figurative meanings through their own points of view. Foster explains that “...we bring an individual history to our reading, a mix of previous readings…but also a history that includes...educational attainment, gender, race, class, faith, social involvement, and philosophical inclination” (110). All of these different influences on readers help shape their interpretations of every text they encounter. Any given reader interpretation of a text may be entirely different or similar to that of the author’s, but either way, what is gained by the reader from the piece is not necessarily any less simply due to different interpretations or perspectives. To me, this aspect of literature suggests that the nature and process of reading and writing isn’t based on convergent thinking and “correct answers,” but instead literature gives readers and writers alike the freedom to leave texts as open-ended and ambiguous as desired. The process of writing literature isn’t creating a path to one meaning or idea, but instead leaving breadcrumbs towards a multitude of concepts, beliefs, and ideas for readers to further diversify with their own creativity and intelligence; herein lies the beauty of literature.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
It’s so true that literature isn’t always based on “correct answers.” I think the appeal of not only literature, but art in general, is that the audience can decipher meanings from the piece and use their own interpretation of the piece to make connections between other works. I also like your conclusion at the end in which you describe the process of writing as leaving, “breadcrumbs.” In literature there are so many possible themes and morals to be looked at in a particular piece. The beauty of literature, is that it can spark discussion and provide insight into complex themes and topics.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your idea of no singular purpose or conclusion from a piece of literature. Like all art, and like Foster says, response to literature is a relationship between the imagination's of the reader and the author. Each individual responds to literature in a different way and I feel that is why some books speak volumes to certain individuals while other have difficulty connecting to it. It is due to the mindsets and experiences of the reader an author. If the author has a tone and underlying experiences that speak to the reader they are more likely to respond positively to. Just like a painting. while I ay not understand the beauty and artistry behind a portrait, someone else may connect with and admire the artist's work.
ReplyDeleteEvery reader takes away something different from each piece of literature they encounter, and this starts with a conversation between the author’s and the reader’s thoughts. As stated above and in the book, many factors determine how a reader interprets pieces of literature and therefore when they interact with a book, unique interpretations can be found, making the entire process fluid. If the author only communicated one specific idea in their work, there would hardly be a need for anybody to read the book because the first person who understood the text would be able to explain the themes, symbols, and plot to anyone who asked, therefore eliminating the need for any type of discussion about the work. Thus, dialog between an author and a reader is a necessary, yet individual, process that acts as a stepping stone for a deeper discussion about the book.
ReplyDeleteI like how you specifically state the types of things readers can take a step back and think about. I completely agree that readers are able to take away what they want from the literary text and and that there is not a "right" interpretation. It is completely up to the reader and how they interpret the meaning and ideas and what they take away from it. It is extremely important to not only question the symbolic nature of a literary work but also question your own interpretation as a reader. Not only to look for a deeper meaning, but continue to think past your initial idea and interpretation and see if it could possibly mean the opposite or go beyond that.
ReplyDelete