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Reflection on the Unit

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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 implications of asking these big

questions. While the course materials date back to Ancient Greece, this unit mainly discusses

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" has

particularly fascinated me. In his writings, he advances the theory that books reflect 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 focus on the author's

ideologies and beliefs, but none of the author's ideas are theirs and belong to no one in particular.

Therefore, the author becomes somewhat irrelevant in determining a piece's meaning; instead,

the reader determines the significance based on their interpretation and belief system.

The "death of the author" is incredibly relevant in the contemporary age of social media,

where users put their thoughts out there to start a conversation or generate a largely agreeable or

disagreeable response. Here, the writer has little control over how their followers interpret their

posts. For instance, consider the current situation where anti-vaccine sentiments are prevalent.

Medical experts are putting forward their views on the importance of vaccinating as a preventive

measure against contracting severe COVID. However, the anti-vaccine groups interpret the

message differently based on the information sources they rely on, making their response to the
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call for vaccination differs from the rest of the population. Therefore, it is not the author's

intention that generates meaning, but instead, the reader's interpretation determines the text's

meaning.

Another idea that stood out 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 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 contribute to an individual's personal growth. 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 personal resonation within

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

be a publisher, and the reader actively creates meaning. Beyond the modern era, this notion is

essential to intellectual development, education, and personal epiphanies since our experiences

can affect how we understand any text or piece of art. Another crucial thing I took away from
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this unit was the value of critically analyzing the writings we read. I will utilize this knowledge

to keep challenging the "truths" in the materials I encounter.

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