The Intentional Fallacy

The Intentional Fallacy is a concept in literary criticism that suggests we should not judge a work of art or literature based solely on the author's intentions or what they intended to convey. Instead, we should focus on the text itself and its meanings as experienced by readers. This idea emphasizes that once a work is created, it stands on its own, and meaning arises from the interaction between the text and its audience, rather than from the author's personal goals or beliefs. This encourages a more open and diverse interpretation of artistic works.