Theory & Philosophy Roland Barthes' "The Death of the Author"
11 snips
Apr 11, 2020 Delve into the transformative ideas behind Roland Barthes' essay, which argues against the notion of the author as the ultimate authority of meaning. Explore the fascinating role of the 'scripter' in reshaping our understanding of authorship. Through Balzac's work, discover how narrative voice liberates text from its creator. The discussion emphasizes the intricate dance between author and reader, highlighting how cultural interpretations can shape literature's significance in a fluctuating world.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Balzac's Saracene
- Balzac describes a castrato disguised as a woman in Saracene.
- Barthes questions the speaking subject and source of the description's insights.
Writing's Destructive Nature
- As a text gains its own identity, the subjectivities of both the reader and the author disappear.
- Writing, according to Barthes, is the destruction of every voice and point of origin.
Author vs. Performer
- The concept of the 'author' emerged alongside the idea of the individual.
- Barthes contrasts this with oral traditions where the speaker functioned more as a performer.