Author, Reader, or Text? (aka Canonicity Slapdown 2005)

[The Saucepan Man]

Originally Posted by Lalwendë

Does 'interpretation' have any limits, and if so where would we put them?

We should not (and cannot, without the establishment of Thought Police) place any limits on freedom of interpretation. Where we can and should place limits is on the reader's ability to turn such interpretation into action, such as where it will result in loss or harm to others.

So, for example, we cannot stop white supremacists believing that LotR supports their repugnant views. But we can limit their ability to propagate those views by means of legislation prohibiting the incitement of racial hatred.