Interpreting Text

For me, the most important thing to consider when interpreting text is the historical
context. The time period in which a piece of literature is written will affect the
interpretation of the text. As a 21 century reader we must see the text not only through
our own eyes, but through the eyes of the author and the world that he/she lived in.
Priscilla Williams

Message no. 17
Author: Andrew Belinfante
Date: Thursday, January 22, 2009 5:06pm

I agree with this 100%. I think it is a very valid point to make! There
is no way to interpret a text without an understanding of who the author
is and his/her motives as well as his/her background or the setting in
which he lived. I want to add, to sort of piggyback on that idea, by
noting that it is of equal importance to understand the time it was
written about. It is not always the case that people are writing about
the time period they live in! Also, somebody who writes about the 1920s
but who lives in the 30s, for example, is going to have a different
understanding of the time period being written about than somebody who
writes on the same topic, but who lives in the 1990s.
I really think that other than historical context, author's purpose has
a lot to do with our understanding of the reading, as the audience. To
understand an author's background and overall message is to understand
almost everything about the work. We like to accept universal ideas as a
people and we relate what we read to how we feel. If an author takes the
time to appeal to our emotions, he/she can really relay a specific
message very well.
Andrew Belinfante
andrewbelinfante@gmail.com


Message no. 54
Author: Philip Dozal
Date: Monday, January 26, 2009 3:23pm

I also agree that historical context is crucial when interpreting a given text. When
applying the historical context to the text the reader has a better understanding of the
political, social and cultural issues of the era. The historical context of the text is most of
the time strongly linked with the central theme. If the reader if familiar with the historical
context of the work he/she is more familiar with the standards and identity of the applied
society.

Message no. 89
Author: Theressa Giammarco
Date: Tuesday, January 27, 2009 11:44pm

I wrote this down in class, but didn't say it aloud and wish I had!
Interpreting a text really is all about context. I mean, think about it,
a lot of times when things are taken out of context in our lives, people
may not understand situations at hand. It seems like this kind of
"contextual issue" happens a lot in relationships. One person may see a
someone else's boyfriend or girlfriend engaged in, say, a conversation
with the opposite sex and "tell" on the person's significant other. Of
course, later, (well hopefully) after explanation it is found out that
no flirting/cheating/nonsense was going on and rather Suzie Q was just
asking how she should go about interpreting the text in her English 400
class.