M-m-meaning! Let's define, is it 'meaning' or 'Meaning', or if there's any at all... - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

wilwarin538 · 08-16-2005, 12:33 PM

I think the 'meaning' of any book is just what influenced the reader or how it made the reader feel. An author can write a book with a certain 'meaning' in mind but the readers might interpret the 'meaning' deferently.

For example:

The author could write the following sentance: Johnny killed Bob and then went to jail.

The auther's 'meaning' in writing that sentance: Killing is bad.

Reader #1's 'meaning' after reading the sentance(am I spelling that right?): COOL!!!

Reader #2's: I'm sure he had a good reason.

Reader #3's: Obviously he didn't do a good job of hiding the evidence.

I know, that is a terrible example. But I'm sure you get my point. A story can have many 'real meanings' to it. Am I way of track with the 'meaning' to this question???

View Poll Results: The 'real meaning' of the Lord of the Rings is to be found in:
The Author's intent	2	7.14%
The Reader's individual opinion	6	21.43%
Mainstream Reader consensus	0	0%
The BarrowDowns Book Forum consensus	2	7.14%
A Glimpse of Divine Truth	1	3.57%
The Reader's collaboration with both the Author's intent and the opinions of others	4	14.29%
Divine Truth glimpsed by the individual Reader guided by the Author's intent	3	10.71%
It does not have to have a 'meaning' at all, the books are entertaining, and that's sufficient	5	17.86%
All of the above may be true up to an extent	5	17.86%
Current poll does not cover all possible options at all, we need another, refined one [if you choose this answer, please list other possible options in the thread. Thank you]	0	0%
Voters: 28. You may not vote on this poll

08-16-2005, 12:33 PM	#1
wilwarin538 Fluttering Enchantment Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 2,508	I think the 'meaning' of any book is just what influenced the reader or how it made the reader feel. An author can write a book with a certain 'meaning' in mind but the readers might interpret the 'meaning' deferently. For example: The author could write the following sentance: Johnny killed Bob and then went to jail. The auther's 'meaning' in writing that sentance: Killing is bad. Reader #1's 'meaning' after reading the sentance(am I spelling that right?): COOL!!! Reader #2's: I'm sure he had a good reason. Reader #3's: Obviously he didn't do a good job of hiding the evidence. I know, that is a terrible example. But I'm sure you get my point. A story can have many 'real meanings' to it. Am I way of track with the 'meaning' to this question??? __________________ Comme une étoile amarante Comme un papillon de nuit C'est la lumière qui m'attire La flamme qui m'éblouit Fenris Muffin