The Death of the Author: WTF? Roland Barthes' Death of the Author Explained | Tom Nicholas

Summary

In this video, Tom introduces Roland Barthes' influential 1967 essay *The Death of the Author*, exploring its impact on cultural studies and literary analysis. Barthes critiques the traditional view of the author as the sole creator of meaning, arguing that texts are composed of pre-existing cultural codes and influences. He challenges the focus on uncovering an author's intentions, proposing instead that meaning is constructed by the reader, emphasizing the role of the reader in interpreting texts. Barthes’ essay marks a shift towards post-structuralism, calling for a broader, more liberated approach to understanding cultural texts.

Takeaways

• 😀 Roland Barthes' 1967 essay 'The Death of the Author' critiques the centrality of the author in interpreting cultural texts.
• 😀 The essay challenges the idea that an author's intention is essential for understanding a text's meaning.
• 😀 Barthes argues that a cultural text is a blend of pre-existing ideas, suggesting authors are more like collagists than creators from nothing.
• 😀 The essay marks a pivotal shift from structuralism to post-structuralism in literary and cultural theory.
• 😀 Barthes criticizes the focus on the author's intentions, highlighting that such an approach limits the meaning of a text to a singular, often biographical perspective.
• 😀 He introduces the concept of the 'scriptor,' emphasizing that the author no longer holds absolute control over the meaning of a text.
• 😀 The importance of cultural context is central to Barthes' argument: texts are made up of multiple influences and cultural codes.
• 😀 Barthes suggests that no text is truly original, as authors draw on pre-existing narratives, codes, and ideas.
• 😀 The essay emphasizes that the 'death of the author' is less about rejecting authorship but more about refocusing attention on the reader's interpretation.
• 😀 Barthes' essay posits that meaning is not fixed and varies with each reader, making the reader the active site of meaning creation.
• 😀 Barthes concludes by celebrating the 'birth of the reader,' shifting the focus from the author's intention to the reader's role in interpreting a text.

Q & A

What is the central argument in Roland Barthes' essay 'The Death of the Author'?

Barthes argues that the identity and intentions of the author should not influence the interpretation of a cultural text. Instead, the focus should shift to the reader and the multiplicity of meanings that arise from the interaction between a text and its audience.

How does Barthes critique the role of the author in literary analysis?

Barthes critiques the traditional view of the author as the ultimate source of meaning in a text. He argues that authors are more like 'scriptors' who draw upon pre-existing cultural codes and influences, thus diminishing the author's authority over the text's meaning.

Why is the title 'The Death of the Author' considered provocative?

The title is provocative because it suggests the elimination of the author's influence on the meaning of a text, which challenges traditional literary theory that emphasizes the author's intentions as central to understanding a work.

How does Barthes view the concept of originality in cultural texts?

Barthes argues that no text is truly original, as all cultural texts draw upon existing ideas, tropes, and influences. He suggests that authors are essentially collaging pre-existing materials rather than creating something entirely new.

What is Barthes' stance on the intentional fallacy?

Barthes supports the critique of the intentional fallacy, which argues that the meaning of a text should not be determined by trying to uncover the author's intentions. He believes that attempting to discover the author's intentions is an impossible and limiting approach.

What does Barthes mean by the term 'scriptor'?

Barthes introduces the term 'scriptor' to describe the creator of a text, emphasizing that the scriptor is not an originator of meaning, but rather a figure who assembles and reconfigures existing cultural codes and references.

What is the significance of Barthes' argument regarding the 'birth of the reader'?

Barthes argues that the real focus should shift from the author to the reader. The 'birth of the reader' refers to the idea that meaning is completed in the process of reading, where each reader brings their own experiences and interpretations to a text.

How does Barthes challenge the traditional approach to interpreting an author's work?

Barthes challenges the traditional approach by suggesting that literary scholars should not prioritize uncovering the author's intentions. Instead, they should focus on the text itself and the diverse meanings it generates for different readers.

What cultural shift does Barthes attribute to the modern Western view of authorship?

Barthes attributes the modern Western emphasis on individual authorship to the influence of the Protestant Reformation, which privileged individualism and the concept of the 'genius' creator.

How does Barthes' 'The Death of the Author' relate to the development of post-structuralism?

Barthes' essay marks a transition from structuralism to post-structuralism by challenging the structuralist idea of fixed meanings within texts. His focus on the reader as the source of meaning helps lay the foundations for post-structuralism, which emphasizes the fluidity and multiplicity of interpretations.