Hermeneutics in Literature & Literary Theory

Introduction To Hermeneutics

Hermeneutics is not primarily a literary theory; rather, it is a philosophical and interpretive approach that deals with the theory and methodology of interpretation. It seeks to understand and interpret various forms of communication and expression, including literature, historical texts, art, and everyday conversations, aiming to uncover their deeper meaning, context, and intention.

Etymology and Meanings of Hermeneutics

• Origin: Ancient Greek word “hermeneutikos”
• Derived from “hermeneuein” meaning “to interpret” or “to explain”
• Associated with the Greek god Hermes, the messenger and interpreter of the gods
• Evolved to encompass principles and methods of interpreting texts and communication
• Became a philosophical discipline for understanding the deeper meaning of expressions in various contexts

Meanings of Hermeneutics

1. Textual Interpretation: Uncovering deeper meanings in literary works, including symbolism, metaphor, and narrative structure.
2. Historical and Cultural Context: Understanding a text within its historical and cultural setting.
3. Reader-Response Theory: Recognizing that readers bring their perspectives to interpretation.
4. Hermeneutic Circle: An iterative process where parts and the whole inform each other in interpretation.
5. Dialogue and Conversation: Encouraging discussions for diverse interpretations.
6. Literary Theory: Used in conjunction with various literary theories for analysis.
7. Applied Hermeneutics: Extending interpretation to other forms of communication and media.

Hermeneutics: Origin, Theorists, Works and Arguments

Origin:

• Hermeneutics has its roots in ancient Greece, with the term “hermeneutics” originating from Hermes, the messenger of the Greek gods. It initially referred to the art of interpretation and was associated with the interpretation of religious texts.

Key Theorists:

1. Friedrich Schleiermacher (1768-1834):
   • Notable for his work on hermeneutics in theology.
   • Emphasized understanding the author’s intentions and capturing the “spirit” of a text.
   • His work laid the foundation for modern hermeneutics.
2. Wilhelm Dilthey (1833-1911):
   • Extended hermeneutics to encompass the interpretation of human sciences (Geisteswissenschaften).
   • Emphasized the role of empathy (Einfühlung) in understanding the historical and cultural context of texts.
3. Martin Heidegger (1889-1976):
   • Applied hermeneutics to philosophy.
   • Introduced the concept of the “hermeneutical circle” and the idea that understanding is always situated in a historical context.
4. Hans-Georg Gadamer (1900-2002):
   • Wrote Truth and Method (1960), a seminal work in hermeneutics.
   • Stressed the fusion of horizons and the idea that every interpreter brings their own biases and prejudices to the text.

Notable Works:

• On the Different Methods of Translating by Friedrich Schleiermacher: In this work, Schleiermacher discussed the various methods of translating texts and the challenges of preserving their meanings.
• Truth and Method by Hans-Georg Gadamer: This influential book explores the nature of understanding, the fusion of horizons, and the role of tradition in interpretation.

Fundamental Arguments:

• The Fusion of Horizons: Hermeneutics emphasizes that interpreters bring their own historical and cultural horizons to the act of interpretation. Understanding a text involves merging these horizons with the text’s context.
• Historical and Contextual Understanding: Hermeneutics stresses the importance of understanding texts within their historical and cultural contexts. This includes considering the author’s intentions, the audience, and the cultural milieu in which the text was produced.
• Interpretive Process: Hermeneutics recognizes that interpretation is an ongoing, circular process where understanding deepens with each engagement with a text. The hermeneutical circle highlights the interdependence of parts and the whole of a text.
• Dialogical Nature: Interpretation is seen as a dialogue between the interpreter, the text, and the tradition from which the text arises. Gadamer argued that this dialogue shapes our understanding.

Hermeneutics has evolved over centuries and continues to influence various fields, including literature, philosophy, theology, and the social sciences, providing a framework for understanding and interpreting texts and human experiences.

Principles of Hermeneutics

Hermeneutics is a philosophical approach to interpretation that seeks to understand how we interpret meaning from texts. Here are some of the key principles of hermeneutics:

Principle	Explanation
Historical Context	Understanding the historical and cultural background of a text is crucial for accurate interpretation. This includes knowledge of the author’s time, language, social norms, and traditions.
Author’s Intention	Hermeneutics emphasizes the importance of discerning the author’s original intent or purpose behind the text. This involves considering the author’s worldview, beliefs, and objectives.
Textual Analysis	Careful examination of the text’s language, grammar, and structure helps uncover the meaning and significance of individual words, phrases, and passages.
Horizon of Understanding	Recognizing that both the interpreter and the text have their own horizons of understanding (experiences, beliefs, biases), and the goal is to merge these horizons to achieve a more comprehensive understanding.
Contextual Coherence	Interpreting a specific passage within the broader context of the entire text helps maintain consistency and coherence in understanding.
Application of Tradition	Hermeneutics acknowledges the influence of tradition on interpretation. Understanding how a text has been interpreted throughout history can provide valuable insights.
Text-Reader Interaction	Interpretation is a dynamic process that involves an active engagement between the reader and the text. The reader’s experiences and perspectives influence the interpretation.
The Hermeneutic Circle	This principle recognizes that understanding parts of a text requires knowledge of the whole, and understanding the whole requires insight into the parts. It involves a circular movement between the parts and the whole.
Suspension of Prejudice	Interpreters should strive to set aside personal biases and preconceptions as much as possible to avoid distorting the meaning of the text.
Interdisciplinary Approach	Hermeneutics often draws from various disciplines, such as linguistics, history, philosophy, and literary studies, to enrich the interpretation process.
Intertextuality	Hermeneutics considers the interconnectedness of texts, acknowledging that a text is influenced by and can reference other texts, which can enhance the understanding of the current text.
Application to Contemporary Context	The insights gained from hermeneutics should be applicable to contemporary situations, allowing the text’s wisdom to be relevant and transformative in the present.

These principles reflect the complexity and richness of the hermeneutic approach to interpretation, which has evolved over centuries of philosophical and theological inquiry.

Suggested Readings

1. Gadamer, Hans-Georg. Truth and Method. Continuum, 2004.
2. Heidegger, Martin. Being and Time. Harper Perennial Modern Thought, 2008.
3. Ricoeur, Paul. The Rule of Metaphor: Multi-Disciplinary Studies of the Creation of Meaning in Language. Routledge, 2004.
4. Smith, James K. A. The Fall of Interpretation: Philosophical Foundations for a Creational Hermeneutic. InterVarsity Press, 2000.
5. Steiner, George. After Babel: Aspects of Language and Translation. Oxford University Press, 1998.
6. Taylor, Charles. The Ethics of Authenticity. Harvard University Press, 1992.
7. Thiselton, Anthony C. Hermeneutics: An Introduction. Eerdmans, 2009.
8. Vanhoozer, Kevin J. Is There a Meaning in This Text? The Bible, the Reader, and the Morality of Literary Knowledge. Zondervan, 1998.