1

Reflection on the Unit

Name

Institution

Instructor

Course

Date
2

Reflection on the Unit

The learning unit on the creation of meaning introduced me to discussions surrounding

the author and reader divide, how we create meaning, and the resulting implications of asking

these big questions. While the course materials date back to Ancient Greece, this unit particularly

talks about how Nietzsche and Barthes's materials fit into contemporary culture (Friedrich

Nietzsche, Richard Wagner & the Birth of Tragedy, 2019). Barthes’ concept of the “death of the

author” is one that has particularly remained with me. In his writings, he advances the theory that

books are a reflection of other cultures, ideologies, beliefs, philosophies, and ideas, and that the

concept of authorship as a whole has to be reconsidered. The self-proclaimed author has

borrowed everything from previously existing texts, making their ideas relatively unoriginal

(“The Death of the Author” Simplified (Roland Barthes), 2014a). Hence, when we evaluate

texts, we tend to focus on the author's ideologies and beliefs, but none of the author's ideas are

theirs, and they probably belong to no one in particular. Therefore, the author becomes

somewhat irrelevant in determining the meaning of a piece; instead, it is the reader who

determines the significance based on their interpretation and belief system.

The idea of “death of the author” is incredibly relevant in the contemporary age of social

media, where users put their thoughts out there with the intention of starting a conversation or

generating a largely agreeable or disagreeable response. Here, the writer has little control over

how their posts are interpreted by their followers. For instance, consider the current situation

where anti-vaccine sentiments are prevalent. Medical experts are putting forward their views on

the importance of being vaccinated as a preventive measure against contracting severe forms of
3

COVID. However, the anti-vaccine groups are interpreting the message differently based on the

information sources they rely on, making their response to the call for taking vaccination

different from the rest of the population. Therefore, it is not the author's intention that generates

meaning, but instead, the interpretation by the reader that determines the meaning of the text.

Another idea that stood out to me was the relationship between language and meaning, as

demonstrated in Rene Magritte’s painting, “The Treachery of Images (This is not a Pipe).” The

painting challenges the viewer’s understanding of language and representation, highlighting the

gap between words and their meaning. The treachery of images (This is not a pipe), 1928-1929 –

Rene Magritte – WikiArt.org. (2018, January 7). This idea is relevant to the learning unit

because it emphasizes the importance of questioning the meaning of words and symbols.

Reading this unit also highlighted the importance of challenging conventionally-held

views and questioning the notion of authorship. These reflective exercises help to break down

the barriers to any notion or "truth" since the interpretations of a particular text, style, or artwork

can change in various ways. What is essential is to reach a personal interpretation of things based

on our experiences in life, education, and cultural environment. Learning something new and

reevaluating what one believes in also contributes to the personal growth of an individual.

Succinctly, this unit taught me the significance of critically examining texts and challenging

traditionally held beliefs.

In conclusion, Barthes’ concept of the author’s death struck a very personal resonation

within me. It emphasized the usefulness of modern platforms like social media, where any author

may be a publisher and the reader takes an active role in creating meaning. Beyond the modern

era, this notion is essential to intellectual development, education, and personal epiphanies since
4

our experiences can affect how we understand any text or piece of art. Another crucial thing I

took away from this unit was the value of critically analyzing the writings we read. I’ll utilize

this knowledge to keep challenging the “truths” that are given in the materials I come across.

References

Friedrich Nietzsche, Richard Wagner & The Birth of Tragedy (2019, December 12).

Www.youtube.com.https://youtu.be/7TbarkwbVdk

“The Death of the Author” Simplified (Roland Barthes). (2014a, January 24).

Www.youtube.com.https://youtu.be/YkQsRVIWM6c

The treachery of images (This is not a pipe), 1928-1929 – Rene Magritte – WikiArt.org. (2018,

January 7).Www.wikiart.org https://www.wikiart.org/en/rene-magritte/the-treachery-of-

images-this-is-not-a-Pipe-1948