Writing is art, and art is always symbolic, intentionally or not. It's also about connection, between author and reader, between the reader and their life experience.
What I do have a problem with is insistence that there is a (to borrow a BDSM term) Wun Twu Way to interpret any piece of art.
Sometimes a reader will see exactly what the author was trying convey. Sometimes they'll have a completely different experience, and both are okay! The interpretation is personal, and should be. Sharing your thoughts and feelings about a work is fine.
Putting words in an author's mouth (This is what the author is trying to say!) and/or insisting that your interpretation is the only correct one are both poor teaching skills and a sadly limiting world view. Much like, "A doctor who treats himself has a fool for a patient", a person who believes only their opinions are valid and won't allow other points of view is a fool.
No comments:
Post a Comment