Interpretation
What does the term interpretation mean in reading and writing?
The process of creating meaning from a text based on a reader’s perspective, purpose, and background.
What does analysis mean?
Breaking a whole into parts to understand how those parts create meaning.
Who wrote “The Death of the Author”?
Roland Barthes.
What is a symbol?
A concrete object that represents an abstract idea.
What is a sociocultural lens?
A perspective used to analyze how identity and culture shape meaning.
Name two factors that influence a reader’s interpretive position.
Purpose, background, posture, or lens.
What analogy does the author use to explain analysis?
A LEGO castle — examining individual bricks to understand how the whole structure is built.
What does Barthes mean by “the death of the author”?
Readers should focus on the text itself, not the author’s personal intentions or biography.
What is a motif, and how is it different from a symbol?
A recurring image or phrase that supports a theme; it’s less direct than a symbol.
Name one sociocultural lens mentioned in the chapter.
Gender & sexuality, race & ethnicity, class & economy, ecology, disability, or (post)colonialism.
What question might someone ask when interpreting Wonder Woman through a feminist lens?
“Does the film challenge or reinforce gender stereotypes?”
What is the difference between interpretation and analysis?
Interpretation focuses on what the text means; analysis examines how it creates that meaning.
According to the text, what should readers assume about an author’s choices?
That every word and detail is deliberate.
What is a pattern in a text?
A recurring structure, image, or phrase that adds meaning or rhythm to the work.
What question might a reader ask when using a class and economy lens?
“How does the text portray differences in wealth, power, or access to resources?”
Why will readers never completely agree on one interpretation of a text?
Because each person’s experiences, beliefs, and purpose shape how they construct meaning.
What does “radical noticing” mean in the context of analysis?
Paying close attention to small details instead of skimming or relying on assumptions.
What problem does Jane Gallop describe with “projection” in reading?
Readers often see what they expect to find instead of what’s actually there.
What might it mean when a text breaks an established pattern?
The author is drawing attention to something important or signaling change.
Which lens would explore how the environment and human activity are connected in a text?
Ecology or environmental lens.
How is interpretation connected to social justice, according to the text?
Interpretation helps uncover biases, challenge oppression, and promote critical, ethical thinking about truth and community.
What is meant by the term iterative process in close reading?
Analysis requires rereading and revisiting a text multiple times to deepen understanding.
Why does Gallop argue that projection prevents learning?
Because when we project, we only confirm what we already know instead of discovering something new.
What is a reference, and what are some examples?
A connection to another text—examples include allusion, allegory, parody, or quotation.
How can applying a sociocultural lens deepen a reader’s interpretation?
It helps reveal hidden power dynamics, assumptions, and social contexts that shape meaning.