[The Saucepan Man]

Originally Posted by the phantom

However, I am not inclined to extend this courtesy to my fellow readers, because everyone else doesn't always agree with me, and when that happens, if the meaning is truly determined by the reader, then their opinion is just as correct and valid as mine no matter who they are or what they think. I cannot accept that, because I believe that every opinion is not equally valid or correct.

To my mind, it is not a question of whether one meaning is objectively of greater value or more correct than another. It is a question of whether a particular meaning is subjectively right for a particular individual. That determination can only take place within the experience of that individual.

Generally, we will tend to ascribe greater "value" or "correctness" to the meaning adhered to by the majority and/or those particularly qualified to interpret the text in question (such as the author, for example) and, as I have said a (limited) degree of objectivity may be obtained in this regard. But it does not follow that the meaning subscribed to by the majority or the high priests of analysis or even the author will be the right one for a particular individual reader.

Originally Posted by davem

So, obviously, there is a degree of reader input into the story, co-creation does happen, but the writer is in charge, & determines the degree of input the reader has.

The author provides the building blocks, but they are assembled within the experience of the reader. The reader is totally at liberty to assemble them as he or she wishes, or even to ignore them completely. The majority will assemble them largely as the author intended.

Edit: Cross-posted with Mister U.