Who's right?

October 11, 2007, 5:59 AM

Have you ever wondered if any of those answers that you blurt out in Literature class actually make sense with what the author of a novel or something was trying to say? Ever found yourself wondering "Did Shakespeare actually mean that?"

I'm actually trying to figure this out...my teacher said something pretty interesting the other day when she said: "It's not what the author thinks...it's what the reader infers that matters" Therefore the readers are always right, regardless of the purpose of the author.

Thoughts?

October 15, 2007, 1:40 AM

That's a really good concept there. While I find it true in most ways, I also do believe that some authors do write their books on how they want the readers to perceive the outcome of a plot or story. So yes, there's many books out there that are in a pretty solid standing - hence, the saying, "It is what it is."

But then there's those tricky authors that leave the story in a roller coaster ride, wanting the readers to form their own opinions, making each reader right, no matter how the opinions differ from one another. Those are very rare type of books though, in my opinion.