Colonist replies

Curtis Maxwell Perrin (cmp4x@msn.com)
Thu, 02 Jul 1998 08:50:08 -0400 

Actually, it's not French literary theory, but English-speaking critics (W.
K. Wimsatt, Jr., M. C. Beardsley, &c) who developed the idea of the
"intentional fallacy."  The intentional fallacy is basically the error of
judging the meaning of a work of literature by the author's expressed or
ostensible intention in producing it.  This does not imply that readers
should totally neglect an author's intention or the facts of his life when
interpreting a book.  However, the author is only one of "many witnesses" to
the meaning of a work.  See, e.g. Wimsatt's *Verbal Icon.*  The mark of a
true critic is knowing where and when to privilege one meaning (an author's,
for example) versus another (e.g., a reader's).

Curtis Perrin
cmperrin@fas.harvard.edu




-----Original Message-----
From: Scottie Bowman <bowman@mail.indigo.ie>
To: bananafish@lists.nyu.edu <bananafish@lists.nyu.edu>
Date: Thursday, July 02, 1998 8:05 AM
Subject: explanation



`...Our interpretation is every bit as valid as his,' writes
Camille with breathtaking self-confidence, `... that's what
happens once you put text out into the world. Just because
he wrote it doesn't mean that his opinion on it is Correct...'

I gather this conceit that a work of art is some kind of
co-operation between creator & audience derives originally from
Frog literary theory. It triggers a lot of delighted laughter
in England but is apparently still taken quite seriously in America
& some of the other colonies.

It is, of course, utter drivel propogated by academics & critics
hoping to arrogate their humble function to the same level as
that of the artist.  But that's not how the thing works at all.

The artist or writer is the discoverer of a unique vision which
he tries - without ever wholly succeeding - to transmit across
all the static & bumph of interstellar space to whatever distant
planets may be trying to tune to his wavelength.  There IS an
authentic, central experience which the artist may not, himself,
wholly understand since much of it derives from his own unconscious.
But, believe me, he is in a much better position to speak for it
than anyone else who, by the very nature of things, is many light
years from its place of origin.

I know about these things.  I'm a writer of novels both published
& acclaimed & have known quite a number of creative writers even
more distinguished than myself.  Every one of us share the same
attitude to the reading public. Let the bastards hand over their
money & feel grateful for the benefit of our labours.  And then let
them keep quiet.  The day Jack REALLY starts to believe he's as
good as his Master will be the day Western Civilisation starts
its final collapse.

Scottie B.