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So that I can become a better writer, I have decided to complete a close analysis of a literary novel. But, before I begin, I have a question for /lit/.
In terms of analysis, how important are the author's own intentions for what they were trying to create and devise?
At first, I thought this was an extremely important consideration. But I have since read that most of the merit of works of literature are found in the reader's own readings and arguments about the book, as though the book exists completely separate from the author.
Thank you in advance.
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I think it really varies from author to author. It's definitely important to consider the purpose of a novel, and the form of the novel, but often I feel like the meaning is really out of the author's hands. The introduction written by Henry James to Portrait of a Lady after it's publication has some insight on this. In it he discusses the importance of understanding perspective as purpose in novels. In terms of analysis, the author's intentions should be considered, but an acknowledgement of the different perspectives also offers (potentially equal) importance.
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>>9165550
Pretty much this. It's down to authorial intention. It's worth considering your overall message beforehand, if you even have a message. Maybe you just want to spin a well written yarn without any discernable message, and that would also be fine.
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