‘Canonicity’: the Book or the Reader?

[The Saucepan Man]

Originally Posted by Mister Underhill

I'd prefer a sincere attempt at understanding.

I agree. That is why I have always referred to the reader's 'honest' or 'genuine' understanding.

In any event, I think that we have little to fear from non-sensical interpretations. Even if they are genuine, they will be unacceptable to most other readers and will therefore never form part of our general understanding of the work.

Originally Posted by Mister Underhill

In any confrontation between a reader's interpretation and an author's intention, the author has the authority, the right, sometimes even the obligation to clarify his meaning.

Agreed. And the reader has the absolute right to disregard such clarification. The inclination of most readers who have any regard for the work, however, will be to take it on board.