Someone in class brought up the question: do authors intend for us to read so much into their stories? In other words, do they want us to be thinking of themes and symbolism, or are they just writing their stories for fun?
What do you think?
Mrs. L
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31 comments:
I, Nick, being the first one to comment this blog, am going to voice my answer to the given question of doom. I think that the answer to this question will vary from author to author. I don't think that all authors expect the same things from their readers. Some may put deep meanings into their books that have to be thoroughly thought out to uncover. Some may just be writing a story for us to enjoy and we are really just inventing these deep unstated ideas. It also could vary within a book. Maybe parts of an author's work were just meant to be a story with no underlying themes. Then, in other sections of the book, the author may have purposely inserted less noticeable ideas that have to be searched for by the reader. Generally I think this is something that does not have one specific answer because each author would probably respond differently.
Love,
Nick Nieminen
Personally, I think that the author, being an author, has the job to voice a message, through a story. His/her job is also to create a believable environment and develop thouroughly its characters. So, like in real life, each person does something because of whom they are; it is the authors job to perfect their own characters and make them only speak and act as they would in real life. As for underlying themes, well, every author with their story has something to say, and yes, there is a message behind every story. But regarding smaller context like what we in english class discuss, I say yes, it is in the author's desire to do as such. Like I said, he/she, while compiling a fictional story, must design his/her story perfectly and thus, every little action, word or event, IS with purpose.
Emily M. (the twin in the front.)
Hmmm....I like what Nick and Emily said and I'm thinking that, if I were to write a short story I would want it to be meaningful to someone besides myself. So, I think I would try to put symbols, etc.. in there. Any other opinions???
I would have to agree with Nick, in that the answer varies between authors. Deeper meaning is the difference between popular literature and serious literature. Especially before t.v. things were written that were purely escapist entertainment. That is why intellectual properties like Tarzan and Zoro survive as movies, but the books are never read. But of course, some authors like Faulkner instill their work with all sorts of hidden meanings. That is why I like Pynchon, his books make fun of the reader for searching for a meaning that isn't there ( Unless someone can tell me what The Crying of Lot 49 is actually about). Yet, I read that Herman Melville didn't realize Moby Dick was an allegory until someone pointed it out to him! So maybe the real meaning isn't up to the author, it's up to the reader.
Pat,
One question, you made a distinction between popular and serious literature. Are you saying that those two concepts are mutually exclusive? That, if you write "good literature" that you are probably not going to be a "popular writer"? Also, does that apply to all forms of literature (poems, music, short stories)? Just a question.....
I'm a little doubtful that authors intend their literature to be read into as much as they are. Obviously, they include a large degree of symbolism and foreshadowing into their stories. However, I can't picture Charlotte Bronte sitting at her writing desk, crossing her fingers and wishing that someday a high school English class would pick apart her every phrase. Generally, we seem to consider the stories with the most underlying themes and subtleties to be the BEST forms of literature out there. But I don't know if they deserve that title...
Sometimes I like noticing elements of foreshadowing, etc, while I'm reading. But too much kind of turns reading into a chore.
Serious and popular literature are the same only if the public happens to have good taste. Fitzgerald earned around $5 a year in royalties for the Great Gatsby, but tens of thousands for his formulaic short stories. The Sun Also Rises was very popular in its day and a classic, but I don't know if that says more about the active reading skills of the public or Hemingway's ability to write to a variety of audiences at the same time. The contemporary novels I hear talked about most today though, are Harry Potter or Twilight and I seriously doubt if they will ever enter the Western Canon. Also I think it does apply to all forms of literature in the same way.
I agree with Simone. I am sure that some authors do intend their books to have great depth and meaning in their words, but I think that many people put too big of an emphasis on themes and symbolism. There could be an item that seemed insignificant to the author when he or she was writing the story, but to a reader, that same item could have been a symbolic message pertaining to the setting because the emphasis put on the true depth of a book is exaggerated to the point that readers are constantly on the look out for such symbolism or underlying theme when that time could have been spent purely enjoying the contents of the book and what it has to offer.
I think that the author intends for people to read the story and think, and get whatever they want to out of it. I don't think that the author ever has a specific message or symbolism, just a general theme. That's part of the fun of reading: thinking and making up your own theories. When we stop doing that, then maybe the author will put in a specific message, to get us thinking again. But really, I think that authors want us to do whatever we want with their books.
-Amanda
I hate to sound redundant but I really think that it's just author's intention. It's the same thing with music- if you intend it to be something deeper and with more themes, it will be, but if it's just to distract the reader for a while, and doesn't have a moral, then it's nothing. It's also a bit how the reader takes it- if the intention is "I have to read this for this class and I'm going on to sparknotes," then it's a lot less, despite author's intention.
Also, McManus, Zorro has 2 r's.
I do think an author writes a novel with themes in mind, however, I do not think that when a person is writing a piece if literature, they think of adding symbolism and other literary elements right when they begin. I think that certain literary elements just flow into their minds and on paper as a result of what their writing at that exact moment in time. Seeing what other people have written in this blog, I do not think that authors write stories thinking that we will love them or read so much into them, I think that they are mostly focused on writing about what they love an getting their point across.
I have always tried to believe that the author writes for the sole purpose of giving us a theme, such as a personal connection to their own lives or experiences. But I also know of many authors who just write to release tension, and don't really think of the reader's observations. I personally write to portray emotions and give characters incredibly detailed lifestyles, while following themes that make the characters who they are. It all depends on the writer, why they're writing, and the status their life is in right now.
[my pronouns are kinda screwed up. my apologies]
--Rebecca Fix
Honestly, I think an author writes a novel using these elements and therefore when we read the elements are revealed. The author doesn't sit down to write and say "how can I use themes and symbolism so the reader thinks about theses elements?" But rather he write the story and themes,symbolism etc. occur. I think these elements are just part of the natural writing process and as you write your unaware of the fact that you add these literary devices in, the just flow. Every story has a meaning wether intended or not. Unless your inside the author's head while he is writing, no one will ever no what he truly meant for the reader to get out of the story. In some ways it's like which came first the chicken or the egg? Which came first the story or the moral of the story?
Just a thought. As a writer, don't you think that you (the writer) convey your feelings through your words so that your thoughts can possibly strike a chord with someone else and possibly help them? And, if that is so, then do you think, consciously or unconsciously, that you would create layers of meaning for the reader? Hmmm....very interesting
I don't think most authors intend for you to read so much into their stories. Personally, if I was an author I would write a story and most likey someone reading it, would find a deeper meaning.
I think that all authors are different. What I mean is that some may just be writing to tell their story, while others want to challenge the reader to identify the themes and symbolism used in the book. I think it also depends on the topic the author is writing about. For example, if the storyline is about a little girl learning to be potty trained, I think the author is telling a story. On the contrary I think authors want us, as the reader to denude (hahaha look at that great vocab. word)the storyline, and pinpoint connections that the author is trying to make. For example, in Jane Eyre, Bronte makes Jane have a miserable life, surrounded by death and abuse. Jane symbolizes Bronte, and I think Bronte wanted that to be known. Finally I agree with Nick Nieminen, "Generally I think this is something that does not have one specific answer because each author would probably respond differently." So, Mrs. Lindell the answer to your question has multiple answers, that can pretty much be all correct.
-Katie Michels
Hey Katie,
Nice use of the word "denude"!!!
ML
I agree with a lot of people that wrote before me as well. First of all I do believe that some authors set up their story lines and the words they use so that we, as readers, put more thought into the story as themes, symbols and foreshadowing come through. However, I also agree that some authors may just be writing stories for fun, and if so, these stories probably wont have as many ideas to "read into" but it is possible for a story to coincidentally contain a theme or symbol. I'm also agreeing that this question doesn't have one specific answer.
and i like how the first story katie could think of was a girl being potty trained. haha
I agree with a lot that was said before me. Different authors have various different reasons for telling their stories and therefore will expect something different from the reader. Some authors would want their readers to focus more on details if the work is meant to be informative, while others might want their readers to piece together the details to reveal a much larger underlying theme. JK Rowling, for example, uses small details throughout the seven books to create various subplots with different themes- good vs. evil, the possibility of death, fate vs. choice, for example. I think she wanted readers to get as much from the books as we personally intended/wanted to; the books offer a lot to the readers, but not all readers want to look that deep into what they're reading. I think that authors have a general idea of the message(s) they want to send from the very beginning, but figure out ways of how to incorporate the themes and etc. later on.
I also like what Pat was saying about popular vs. serious literature.
-Kukka
I do not think authors intend for readers to look deep into their books. The reason I say this is because every author that I've met have all said they write for fun and to be creative. I am sure that there are authors that would want a reader to analyze the text and to get as deep as possible, but I think the majority do it for fun.
Vincent Debitetto
I think most writers go into some depth that they expect the reader to understand. Like in Goodnight Mr. Tom, when it rained something bad happened. But when it was sunny, something good happened. I think good authors make books so that you could read it without thinking so much and it would still be enjoyable. But at the same time you could read more into depth, and you'll be able to notice foreshadowing, themes, symbolism, etc. So I think authors understand that some people will read casually and others will read in depth. A good author understands that and tries to make a story enjoyable for both the casual reader and the diligent reader.
I think it mainly depends on the authors. Some may intend for the reader to look for hidden meanings in their stories, while others may just want the reader to enjoy the story by itself. This can also depend on the type of story the author is writing. In a dramatic or mysterious story, there are probably a few hidden meanings that just make the story more interesting for the reader. It can be fun to discover themes and hidden meanings while reading or even listening to music. Songwriters tend to write based on themes or even have hidden meanings behind certain lyrics.
-Lauren M
I do agree that the answer to this question will vary depending on the author one is choosing to focus on. I also believe that the best authors can spill their soul onto the paper while also naturally including elements such as symbolsim. A writer should focus on finding a balance between the two rather than concentrating on only one. A good novel has that balance, allowing the reader to not only connect the piece with life experiences but to also give the story a deeper meaning based upon their own viewpoints and hidden symbols the author has included.
Hopefully, it will work this time because last night was a bit doleful when my comment didn't go through.
Successsss! ^ (:
hahah Shaun, I love you.
If I were a writer, and the rest of the world read what I wrote and started to psycho-analyze me, I'd get kind of freaked out. I think authors may subconsciously put some of their real life into their works, but I don't think they write so everyone can so, "Oh, so-and-so had a bad childhood, and that's why everyone dies in the end..."
Personally, I feel that the author does not intend for others to analyze their writings so critically. I think that authors just write books because it is something they love to do, and if a person really enjoys that piece of literature, then great, but I don't believe their purpose of writing is for literary elements and such. I mean, if I were an author, I would just write a book because it was something I had a passion for and I would just fit in the literary elements to make the book better and allow the reader(s) to feel the same way that the author/character is feeling. For me, writing is a unique way of expressing yourself, so I believe that authors write because they want to let their emotions out and/or they just love to write.
-Patchanunnnnnnn =D
I think that it really depends on what to purpose of the novel is. If the book was written to entertain, then it was meant for entertainment, but if it was written to bring out a certain theme or idea, then I think that you are supposed to read into it.
My writing has many layers that describes the characters based on who they are; mostly my characters take on beliefs and thoughts that I follow. So I do convey things to readers in hope of setting the stage of the literature. If it ends up helping them, then I have done more than I planned for
-Rebecca F
i definately think authors try and use meaning when writing, espcially such in-depth novels as Jane Eyre. the authors need to create substance, causing their readers to think, analyze, and question things. some authors write for theor own personal enjoyment, but the majority of the time they are trying to convey a meesage to the reader. the author wants the reader to expand and reflect on their writing. they are looking for feedback and want the reader to take something from the book. (learn something from it.)
-livia
I think that authors must have intended for us to read books as we do. The probability of so many people finding the same attributes of a book without it being specificaly writen that way are too small.
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