After reading Death of the Author it points out a very important notion on what an author does to a work or text. Barthes (author/writer of the article) brings up the point that in modern culture the written pages are based on the author's life. This can restrict the reader's mind the challenge the author's work. Barthes repeatedly brings up the concept that its the language that reaches out to its readers and not the author: "language knows a subject not a person" and its language that we read and write. And I agree. When society publishes a work the author is noted on the front. Once this author has been established as a great writer, then the work is already compromised. When people think of Shakespeare, they automatically assume that his works are prized in literature. I can see how this changes the way I think and others as well. Since English courses are required in high school I can remember reading plays and sonnets of Shakespeare. I never questions whether the works were notary or not. I never questioned whether I think his work was as amazing as the critics claim he is. Of course I never understood some of his works but then again its written in almost another language to me. Barthes also points out that in Greek Tragedy there are double meanings to the text. Maybe that's what authors need to do when writing to let the reader decides how its going to end.
Right now I'm taking a Political Theory class and we're told that the course is to understand the origins of law. So far I've been reading the bible. Don't take this the wrong way if you're religious but I love challenging what the bible has to say (its repetitious and has lots of contradictions). I know its the law of God, but look how far our world has come because of people who defy God. Science has flourished all over the world because of these defiant scientists (of course most of them were pretty religious themselves).
So without an author "the text lies in its destionation"-the reader. Not having an author can open up the concept that maybe this person is wrong and maybe I'll write something to challenge this written work/text. So think about it.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
2 comments:
I really like how you applied the "Death of the Author" to a religious text (The Bible), especially since many religious texts are not very "straight-forward" and tend to leave many "holes" which are then opened up for interpretation. Thus, many "break-off" religions/religious groups are formed from a single common source (which also incorporates the idea of leaving it up to the reader).
very thought provoking!
I agree with your comment about Shakespeare's greatness. I never questioned it either.
But I think that even with an author, readers can challenge the text. Maybe even more so- once they know who they are "feuding" or debating, it almost gives them more of a drive to prove them wrong.
Post a Comment