For the record, I think everyone’s allowed to interpret a piece of literature however they want. I’m pro-death-of-the-author. Whatever meaning you derive from a story is valid especially if you can back it up with textual support. That being said, are there any common interpretations of a story that you just don’t agree with or go against how you interpret the story?
My example is from a play, not a book, but I don’t like the interpretation of *Romeo and Juliet* that “it’s not a love story; it’s a cautionary tale about two stupid teenagers making rash decisions” because I feel like that ignores so much of the text & themes about reconciliation and pride-driven violence. Like, yes by our modern standards, the kids jumped into their marriage pretty quickly but
1. Sped-up timelines were just a common feature of plays in Shakespeare’s day (the story R&J is based of off had the couple courting for months before their deaths).
2. The way Shakespeare wrote their dialogue prior & after them meeting signaled heavily that they were a genuinely good match for each other. Like their meeting words creating a sonnet, Juliet chiding Romeo out of speaking in cliches to expressing his love authentically, also Romeo’s implied to be a lot closer in age to Juliet than Paris who (while still a pleasant guy) was noted in the text as being too old for her (Juliet should have ended up with Paris is another take I just can’t get behind)
3. Blaming the two kids for the tragic events completely undermines the idea the play’s themes about generational harm. Romeo & Juliet’s marriage would have gone just fine (and to Friar Lawrence’s plan) would have helped Verona if it weren’t for their parents continuing their pointless feud. In that sense, the audience needs to know that Romeo & Juliet’s love for each other was genuine and good in order for their parent’s actions to be perceived as horrible and unnecessarily destructive.
I could go on for ages about the hot-takes of that play, but what about for you? What interpretations can you just not get behind?
by lilythefrogphd