~~ on authorial intent & puppy dogs

I just read an interesting post by nicolae about authorial intent, basically saying the text is all that matters, screw the Author. And actually, i agree that the text is what matters, I just don't agree this means any old interpretation is valid, or that you cannot see the gestalt of the conscious and unconscious intent (meta-intent?) through a thorough, clearheaded reading.

I don't think it's fair to equate 'authorial intent' with what the author -thinks- is her intent; I myself know I often write stories with depths I'm unaware of, and that contain things the readers find which surprise & delight me & I'd never thought I meant, but when said to me, I realize it did kinda work out that way, didn't it. So there's that.

But.

I think there is such a concept as 'interrogating the text reasonably', if not correctly. Following the clues; extrapolating with the least possible amount of bias or pre-existing agenda. If you -look- for something in particular in a text, in other words, you will most likely find it. However, if you allow the text to speak for itself, you-the-reader are more likely to approach something like 'consensual reality' or possibly something one might cautiously call objectivity. Something which has to do with facts rather than only opinions and emotional projections ('this is what I -want- to be there') onto the text.

( And of course I expand further. )

~~

Also, I've seen a bit of Ron-bashing around about how he's a stupid boy and Hermione doesn't deserve him 'cause she's too intelligent, etc.... And it makes me want to write paeans to boyish stupidity, dorkiness and the awkward-yet-mostly-well-meaning idiocy that is one of the defining features of the adolescent male.

Man, I couldn't stand them when I was their age, but now I can't get enough of them. Possibly I'm just overly sentimental. Okay, I know I am. But. They're just... too harmless and foolish to take seriously, and yet are so full of... flaws & growing pains & pure instinct & emotion & aggression & hormones & foggy-yet-desperate reasoning that... I just feel so protective and adoring I can't take it. Awww, snakes and snails and puppy dog tails <3<3<3

( So... a scan from Heart Shock, a new yaoi manga. So adorable and so stupid it hurts. Just like Ron. <3<3 Also, there's talk of penises, 'cause... boys, y'know. )

...See, silly, silly boys. I just want to giggle fondly and clasp them pervily to my chest. Awww.

PS. So much love to Aspen, the queen of fumbly imperfectly perfect boys and their cocks <3<3<3<3<3 (Among other things!!)