Is the Reader Always Write?

         One of the major themes of Barthes essay is that the reader is always correct. He states that a text does not just have “the ‘message’ of the Author God” (4). Rather Barthes imagines readers interpreting and crafting messages out of a text based on personal context. To a large extent, this idea is comforting because it gives a great deal of power to the reader. I find few things more frustrating then sitting down and not comprehending a passage. However, this essay and hermeneutics dictates that a lack of understanding is impossible. We will always have our own understandings, which are growing and developing. I find Gadamer’s version of the hermeneutic circle particularly compelling. It addresses the different backgrounds, or prejudices, of readers that influence how they interpret texts. It shows we are always refining our readings and the ways in which we view the work of authors. Readings of the text may be different based on these prejudices, but they are always right.
         While this authority of the reader is often reassuring, the personal hermeneutic circle can also be a bit intimidating. It leaves the easy possibility for something to be lost in translation. There are generally popularized readings of texts such as the Qur’an and famous novels such as Huckleberry Finn, but these too have numerous interpretations from readers.  People might think that the Qur’an is telling them to bomb a city or that Huck is a racist, when this was far from the original intention. These conclusions can be worrisome. Furthermore, Virtual “text’, such as text messages and e-mails, is one area where I find faith in the reader tricky. This scenario is different than picking up a novel or scripture because the reader is most likely having direct contact with the author. Tone is particularly hard to picture. Consequently, room is left for confusion and misunderstanding. This communication can lead to immediate and direct rather than a slower and longer conflict. In this form of text I think it is crucial to listen for the author’s intent and comprehend their context.
         Sometimes, looking at a text from someone else’s point of view can broaden understanding. While our ideas our important, we should never stop redefining and changing our ideas of a text to help expand our knowledge of the world around us. Looking to the author for help can be a useful tool.