Did you know that the act of reading is a collaborative act?

When I write a story, I’m writing a journey. I’m laying down the paving slabs, planting the trees, building the houses. I’m colouring the sky. Making it rain.

But it’s the reader that walks this path. It’s the reader who steps into the world and experiences it through the filters of their own opinions, beliefs, and life experience.

Back in my undergraduate days of literary theory, I remember learning about the 1967 essay, ‘The Death of the Author’, and I didn’t really truly get it. But I was young, and my mind was smaller. Now that I’m an author, I understand it, and am a huge advocate for the theory. Partly because it makes storytelling so much more interesting. And partly because it’s a way to encourage readers to branch out and read things they normally wouldn’t.

But what does ‘the Death of the Author’ theory mean?

What is ‘The Death of the Author’?

French literary critic Roland Barthes introduced a provocative concept in his 1967 essay, “The Death of the Author.” Barthes challenged the traditional notion that an author’s intentions and biography should dictate the interpretation of a text. Instead, he argued that the reader’s role is paramount in deriving meaning, stating, “The birth of the reader must be at the cost of the death of the Author.”

Barthes decentres the author, so that once the story is written, their importance wanes. This is when the reader steps up to interpret the story according to their own life experience and philosophies.

By decentering the author, Barthes emphasizes the reader’s freedom to interpret texts independently, fostering a more personal and subjective engagement with literature.

The Interactive Process of Reading – it’s all about interpretation

When we engage with a story, we’re not just absorbing information; we’re actively constructing meaning. The writer provides the world and the framework — the words, narratives, and ideas — but it’s the reader who brings these elements to life, infusing them with personal experiences, emotions, and interpretations. This synergy transforms the static words on a page into a vibrant, ever-evolving dialogue that changes according to the reader.

Ever discussed a book with a friend and had different opinions? This is a simple example of the ‘Death of the Author’ premise. Your friend interpreted the story according to their own life, and you interpreted it according to your own. The result is two different stories, two different conclusions, and two different lasting effects.

Reader-Response Theory: Empowering the Audience

Echoing Barthes’ ideas, ‘Reader-Response Criticism’ suggests that a text’s meaning emerges through the reader’s interaction with it. This theory suggests that literature is not a one-way transmission from author to audience but a collaborative act where meaning is co-created.

This means that each reader’s interpretation is valid, shaped by their unique context, experiences, and perspectives. How incredible is that?

What does this mean for writers and readers?

For writers, acknowledging the collaborative aspect of reading encourages the creation of open-ended, thought-provoking narratives that invite diverse interpretations.

For readers, these ideas are extremely empowering. It means that your opinions on a story – no matter how different they might be to other peoples’ – are valid. It also means that a reader might read genres that they’re not used to and interpret them in a way that means something to them. An example might be a reader of romance trying out a modern horror. Their interpretation might be more informed by the aspects of the story that resonate with their passion for love and relationships, that a standard reader of horror.

Writers and readers – on a shared journey together

Reading is not a solitary act but a shared journey between writer and reader. It’s a dance.

This collaborative dance enriches our understanding of literature, allowing stories to transcend their origins and resonate uniquely with each individual. Barthes’ work on the ‘Death of the Author’ reminds us all that stories and books are living things.