The death of the Author

[+Kolten]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Death_of_the_Author

 

The death of the author is a framework of literary criticism where the author's purpose is to produce the text and not to explain it. To give undue weight to the author's biography, identity, or own interpretation of the text is to limit the ability to interpret the text. 

While not without its flaws, I feel like it is sometimes a useful framework for literary analysis and criticism, so I made this post to discuss it further. 

I am linking a different post which was the reason behind making this topic

 

Edited August 11, 2022 by Kolten
clarified some wording

[NameIess]

Coincidentally, Intentionally Blank just did a video on this:

 

[+Kolten]

Haha that is a funny coincidence. I am just watching this now actually, I can see that Brandon does consider his extra textual commentary to be part of his vision to the cosmere. It seems like they cover both its pros and its cons as a way to discuss a work. 

I would just say that in general it is easy to fall into a false dichotomy with this discussion. I would agree with what he said about from a scholar's point of view being able to view historical and biographical context is really interesting to the study of a work. But personal reading experience is oftentimes orthogonal to the authors intent. I think both ways of looking at a work can be enlightenting and create valid and interesting discussions. 

[Trutharchivist he/him]

One comment on the Intentionally Blank episode I liked said that it works only with a finished work; which might explain the consideration of WoBs and such for now. When the Cosmere is finished, though...

[+Kolten]

Look at Tolkien's fandom for a glimpse of the future. Christopher Tolkien published every scrap of paper that J.R.R. every scribbled on, where it concerned lord of the rings. The history of middle earth makes for a deep well.