Introduction: Anti-intentionalism
Anti-intentionalism is a philosophical position that challenges the idea that the meaning or interpretation of a work of art or literature is dependent on the author’s intentions. Instead, anti-intentionalists argue that the meaning of a work of art or literature is independent of the author’s intentions and can be derived solely from the work itself and the way it is received by its audience.
This position emerged in the mid-twentieth century as a response to the dominant view that the author’s intentions were crucial for determining the meaning of a work. Anti-intentionalism has been influential in literary theory, art criticism, and aesthetics, and has led to debates about the nature of interpretation, the role of the author, and the relationship between art and society.
Etymology and Meanings of Anti-intentionalism
The term “anti-intentionalism” derives from the prefix “anti-“ which connotes opposition or contradiction, and the word “intentionalism,” which denotes the belief that the author’s intentions constitute a crucial element for the comprehension of a work of art or literature.
The roots of anti-intentionalism is traced back to the works of literary theorists such as W.K. Wimsatt and Monroe Beardsley, who, in their seminal essay “The Intentional Fallacy,” posited the argument that the author’s intentions should not be regarded when interpreting a literary text.
This perspective challenged the prevailing New Criticism approach that privileged authorial intention. Since then, anti-intentionalism has emerged as a significant school of thought in literary theory, influencing the manner in which scholars approach the study of literature and other forms of art.
Meanings of Anti-intentionalism
| Aspect | Meanings |
| Rejection of Authorial Intent | Authorial intentions are not the primary source of a text’s meaning; they may be inaccessible or irrelevant. |
| Focus on Reader Response | Meaning is constructed through diverse reader perspectives and interactions with the text, not authorial intent. |
| Text-Centered Analysis | Meaning is derived from the text itself, focusing on its features, language, and structure, rather than authorial biography. |
| Openness to Multiple Interpretations | Recognizes the existence of multiple valid interpretations due to diverse reader backgrounds and contexts. |
| Historical and Cultural Context | Considers the text’s historical and cultural context but doesn’t limit meaning to the author’s specific context or intent. |
| Challenges Authorial Authority | Questions the author’s ultimate authority over a work’s meaning, promoting a more inclusive approach to interpretation. |
Definition of Anti-intentionalism as a Theoretical Term
Anti-intentionalism is a theoretical term that challenges the notion that the author’s intentions are essential for understanding the meaning of a work of art or literature. According to this perspective, the meaning of a work is determined by its inherent qualities and how it is perceived by the audience, rather than the author’s intentions. Anti-intentionalism has played a significant role in literary theory, art criticism, and aesthetics, leading to debates about the nature of interpretation and the relationship between art and society.
Anti-Intentionalism: Theorists, Works and Arguments
Theorists:
- Roland Barthes:
- Notable Work: “Death of the Author”
- Argument: Barthes argues that the author’s intentions are irrelevant and that the focus should shift to the reader’s interpretation. He advocates for the idea that texts are created by readers as they engage with the text, rather than being dictated by the author’s intent.
- Wolfgang Iser:
- Notable Work: “The Act of Reading: A Theory of Aesthetic Response”
- Argument: Iser emphasizes the role of the reader in shaping a text’s meaning. He suggests that the text’s gaps and ambiguities invite readers to actively participate in constructing meaning.
- Hans Robert Jauss:
- Notable Work: “Literary History as a Challenge to Literary Theory”
- Argument: Jauss proposes that the meaning of a text evolves over time as it encounters new readers and cultural contexts. He underscores the dynamic nature of interpretation and the influence of historical and cultural factors.
Notable Works:
- “Death of the Author” by Roland Barthes:
- Argument: Barthes challenges the traditional authority of the author in determining a text’s meaning and argues that the text should be detached from the author’s intentions. He promotes the idea that readers should play a central role in interpretation.
- “The Act of Reading: A Theory of Aesthetic Response” by Wolfgang Iser:
- Argument: Iser explores the concept of the implied reader, suggesting that the text invites readers to fill in gaps and actively participate in shaping the meaning. He contends that meaning is co-created by the text and the reader.
- “Literary History as a Challenge to Literary Theory” by Hans Robert Jauss:
- Argument: Jauss presents the idea that meaning is not fixed but evolves over time as texts encounter different historical and cultural contexts. He highlights the significance of the reader’s historical perspective in interpretation.
Common Arguments:
- Anti-intentionalism asserts that the author’s intentions are often inaccessible or irrelevant, and the focus should shift to the reader’s response and interpretation.
- It promotes the idea that meaning is not fixed but subject to change based on historical, cultural, and individual factors.
- Anti-intentionalism challenges the traditional notion of the author as the sole authority on a work’s meaning, advocating for a more democratic and inclusive approach to interpretation.
Anti-intentionalism in Literary Theories
Anti-intentionalism has been influential in various literary theories, leading to new approaches to the study of literature. Here are some examples of how anti-intentionalism has been used in different literary theories:
- New Criticism: Anti-intentionalism emerged as a challenge to the New Criticism movement, which emphasized close reading and the importance of authorial intention. Scholars such as W.K. Wimsatt and Monroe Beardsley argued that the author’s intentions should not be considered when interpreting a literary text, and that the meaning of a work should be derived solely from the text itself.
- Reader-response theory: Anti-intentionalism has been influential in the development of reader-response theory, which emphasizes the role of the reader in interpreting a literary text. This perspective holds that the meaning of a work is not fixed or predetermined, but rather emerges from the interaction between the text and the reader.
- Deconstruction: Anti-intentionalism has played a significant role in deconstruction, a literary theory that emphasizes the instability and ambiguity of meaning. Deconstructionists argue that the meaning of a work cannot be fixed by the author’s intentions, but rather is constantly shifting and open to interpretation.
- Postmodernism: Anti-intentionalism has been a key element of postmodern literary theory, which emphasizes the fragmentation and multiplicity of meaning. Postmodernists argue that the meaning of a work is not determined by the author’s intentions, but rather is influenced by the social, historical, and cultural contexts in which it is produced and received.
Anti-Intentionalism and Literary Criticism
| Work | Critique |
| Moby-Dick by Herman Melville | Critique: From an anti-intentionalist perspective, the richness of Moby-Dick‘s symbolism and metaphors takes center stage. Melville’s personal intentions might be elusive, but the novel invites readers to explore the depths of human obsession, the unknown, and the complexities of the human condition. Readers’ interpretations contribute to the meaning of the text, making it a collaborative venture between the author’s text and the reader’s response. |
| The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger | Critique: In The Catcher in the Rye, Salinger’s intentions and personal life have been subjects of much speculation, but anti-intentionalism allows us to focus on how readers connect with the character of Holden Caulfield. The novel’s resonance lies in readers’ individual experiences, making it a story that speaks to various generations without relying solely on authorial intent. |
| The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien | Critique: Anti-intentionalism helps us appreciate how Tolkien’s epic is open to diverse interpretations. The richness of Middle-earth and its characters is not confined by Tolkien’s original intentions but rather grows through readers’ engagement. The author’s biography and intent matter less than the collective contributions of readers in building the world of Tolkien. |
| Ulysses by James Joyce | Critique: Ulysses is a complex and multilayered work that often defies a single, fixed interpretation. Anti-intentionalism allows readers to approach the novel as a puzzle to be collectively solved. Joyce’s intricate wordplay and stream of consciousness style offer myriad entry points for readers to connect with the text, transcending the need for a definitive authorial intent. |
Suggested Readings
- Barthes, Roland. Image, Music, Text. Translated by Stephen Heath, Hill and Wang, 1977.
- Barthes, Roland. The Death of the Author. In Image, Music, Text, translated by Stephen Heath, Hill and Wang, 1977, pp. 142-148.
- Iser, Wolfgang. The Act of Reading: A Theory of Aesthetic Response. Johns Hopkins University Press, 1978.
- Jauss, Hans Robert. Literary History as a Challenge to Literary Theory. University of Minnesota Press, 1982.
- Johnson, Barbara. The Critical Difference: Essays in the Contemporary Rhetoric of Reading. Johns Hopkins University Press, 1980.
- Joyce, James. Ulysses. Oxford University Press, 2008.
- Melville, Herman. Moby-Dick. Norton & Company, 2001.
- Salinger, J.D. The Catcher in the Rye. Little, Brown and Company, 1951.
- Tolkien, J.R.R. The Lord of the Rings. Houghton Mifflin, 2005.
