the theory of implied author

The theory of the implied author refers to the version of an author that a reader perceives when engaging with a literary work. It’s not the actual person who wrote it, but a constructed identity based on the author's style, values, and worldview conveyed through the narrative. This implied author shapes how readers interpret characters, themes, and messages. Essentially, it’s the "author" figure created in the reader’s mind, serving as a lens through which the story’s meaning is understood, distinct from the real-life author behind the text.