Pre-Reading: Barthes (Death of the Author)

1 Pre-Reading: Barthes (Death of the Author) Mount Royal University COMM 3500-001: Media, Culture and Communication Theory Richard Erlendson February 13th, 2023 2 Pre-Reading: Barthes (Death of the Author) Key Quotation: A key quotation from the reading that resonates with me is, "A text is made of multiple writings, drawn from many cultures and entering into mutual relations of dialogue, parody, contestation, but there is one place where the multiplicity is focused and that place is the reader" (Barthes, 1977, p. 148). Connection to my life: This quotation resonates with me because it reflects how various things shape the way I see the world. It's like my perspective is a mix of different experiences, voices, and cultures, making it rich and diverse. In my own life, I see bits of different cultures and ideas that have built up to create my unique way of looking at things. The quote suggests that I'm not defined by just one thing; instead, I'm shaped by ongoing conversations and diverse influences. It also talks about the reader being the central point. It means I have the power to understand things in my own way. It encourages me to approach information with an open mind, recognizing that reading isn't just taking in information; it's actively engaging with it. I need to be aware of how the many influences I encounter shape the way I see the world and take responsibility for how I interpret and engage with information. The connection to my life is a reminder to understand different viewpoints with empathy. Instead of seeing them as opposing, I should view them as contributions to a rich collection of knowledge. Like different pieces in a text, diverse perspectives give me chances for conversation and personal growth. It encourages me to accept the complexity in interpreting things, knowing that a single, absolute truth is often not there, and the real beauty is in the mix of perspectives that come together in my own understanding. Significance and connection to the topic: 3 The significance of this quote captures Roland Barthes' idea about how readers are essential in understanding a text. It challenges the old belief that only the author's intentions matter and suggests that a text is like a mix of influences from different cultures. The perspective shifts the focus from the author to the reader, making them the central point where all these different influences come together. The quote breaks away from the idea that authors have total control over what a text means. It encourages a more open and free way of looking at texts, giving readers a key role in interpreting them. The idea fits with the ideas in today’s literature thinking that says interpretations can change depending on the reader. It also makes us think about how readers can change the meaning of a text. It reminds us to consider how our backgrounds and experiences shape the way we understand literature. Understanding that readers play an important part allows more people with different views and opinions to share their thoughts when analyzing literature. Challenging idea: "The birth of the reader must be at the cost of the death of the Author" (Barthes, 1977, p. 148) is a concept that I find a bit tricky to understand. Barthes' idea questions the usual thought that writers have total control over a text's meaning. Instead, it says readers are crucial in understanding a text. When readers connect with a text, it lessens the control authors typically have. It opposes the idea that only the author's intended meaning determines what a text really means. Barthes wants us to see a way of understanding where readers contribute a lot to creating meaning. The idea challenges the old thought that authors control everything in a text, making me reconsider what literature means. It makes me question how we really understand things, the different meanings, and the connections between authors, texts, and readers. Even though it's a bit confusing, it pushes us to actively 4 shape our understanding, implying that creating meaning is a collective effort. Though I find it a bit challenging, it inspires me to really consider more about the interactive link between readers and authors, adding a bit of depth to how I see literature. 5 References Barthes, R. (1977). The death of the author. In R. Barthes & S. Heath (Eds.), Image, music, text. New York, NY: Hill and Wang.