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Journal

2013 | 11 | 1(20) | 27-37

Article title

Interpretowanie literatury: obrona intencjonalizmu i pluralizmu

Title variants

EN
LITERARY INTERPRETATION: IN DEFENCE OF INTENTIONALISM AND PLURALISM

Languages of publication

PL

Abstracts

EN
I defend two positions concerning interpretation of literature: hypothetical in-tentionalism and critical pluralism. I will address four questions: What is the concept of interpretation? Do we interpret literature differently than non-literature? What are the aims of interpretation? Are there many acceptable interpretations of a given work (the question of pluralism)? My answers are: The concept of interpretation refers in particular to the interpretation of tropes and figures (metaphors, ironies, allegories, etc..). Literary tropes and figures can be interpreted the same way as non-literary. The question “What is the author trying to say with his literary work” is a legitimate question (although sometimes difficult) and seeking the answer to this question is a proper aim of interpretation. When interpreting a literary work readers can make several acceptable (and unacceptable) hypotheses about authorial intention; and the key to the meaning of a literary work is given by the best hypothesis from the position of an informed and competent reader. In addition to that an interpretation may have other legitimate aims (what meanings a text could have for non intended/non implied audience; making a text the best possible artwork etc.). Plurality of interpretations is therefore possible due to different acceptable hypotheses about author’s intentions and different intepretative aims.

Keywords

Contributors

  • University of Ljubljana (Univerza v Ljubljani), Kongresni trg 12, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenija

References

  • S. Lukes, Niezwykłe oświecenie profesora Caritata. Komedia idei, tłum. L. Stawowy, Warszawa 2003.
  • M. Beardsley, W.K. Wimsatt, Intentional fallacy, „The Sewanee Review” 1946, nr 3, s. 468–488 (dostępny w internecie).
  • M. Beardsley, The Authority of the Text (fragmenty The Possibility of Criticism.), [w:] Intention and Interpretation, red. G. Iseminger, Philadelphia 1992, s. 24–40.
  • S. Knapp, W.B. Michaels, The Impossibilitiy of Intentionless Meaning, [w:]
  • Intention and Interpretation, red. G. Iseminger, Philadelphia 1992, s. 51–64.
  • J. Levinson, Intention and Interpretation: A Last Look, [w:] Intention and Interpretation, red. G. Iseminger, Philadelphia 1992, s. 221–256.
  • J. Levsinson, Hypothetical Intentionalism: Statement, Objections and Replies, „Contemplating Art: Essays in Aesthetics” 2006 (dostępny w internecie).
  • R. Stecker, Interpretation, [w:] The Routledge Companion to Aesthetics, red. B. Gaut, D. McIver Lopes, New York 2002, s. 239–252.
  • R. Stecker, Art Interpretation, [w:] Philosophy of Literature. Contemporary and Classic
  • Readings – An Anthology, red. E. John, D. McIver Lopes, Malden 2004, s. 273–279.
  • U. Eco, Czytanie świata, tłum. M. Woźniak, Kraków 1999.
  • Antologia poezji słoweńskiej, wybór, oprac. M. Piechal, Wrocław [i in.] 1973.

Document Type

Publication order reference

Identifiers

YADDA identifier

bwmeta1.element.cejsh-a1c933ef-339a-4134-a44f-093f1521a421
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