writer or reader???

[Jillie11]

is the meaning of the text determined by the writer or the reader?

[JK2]

Surely that depends on whether the writer states the meaning clearly in the text or leaves it open to interpretation by the reader?

[Buenchico]

A good writer should always seek to take control of the amount of freedom he gives the reader to make his own interpretations.

For example, in 'Alice Through the Looking Glass', Lewis Carroll initially allows the readers of 'Jabberwocky' some freedom to place their own meanings upon 'slithey toves' and similar made-up words. However, the narrative within the poem guides readers towards certain interpretations and these are either affirmed or rejected by the subsequent text.

If the writer wants to make the meaning of the text clear, he might use a style which allows minimum freedom for interpretation by the reader. However, if he adopts this approach, the writer will need to guard against creating a work which reads like an academic textbook. A skilled author will give the reader some freedom to make his own interpretations but still seek to remain in overall control.

Even so, different readers may still place different interpretations upon the same text, based upon their own cultural backgrounds, beliefs and experiences.

Chris

[jno]

this is an ongoing literary debate - prompted by French critics, as I recall. They would say it doesn't matter whether the writer states his intentions or not, the reader will read it in his/her own way regardless.