Literacy includes a broad spectrum of insights and abilities that far exceed that of just merely being able to read. As Foster teaches us in his book, to be literate means the ability to detect symbolism, religious reference, and political opinions as well as changes in tone no matter how subtle. Symbolism, for example, requires the reader to be intellectually savvy enough to peel back the layers of literal interpretations and discover the true figurative meaning behind a text. Foster writes, “Everything is a symbol of something, it seems, until proven otherwise.” Without truly being literate, it is difficult to understand that everything is a symbol.
Similarly, literacy expands into not only developing our own interpretations of texts, but discovering a wide-range of alternative meanings that we ourselves had not first thought. Gaining this type of perspective is crucial to the growth of a reader as it allows us to understand that our truth may not be the next person's truth. In literature, there is rarely just one point. Just as Foster explains, reading is subjective. Even though we expect there to be one definite answer, most often there isn't one.
Being aware that there may be multiple meanings to a text does not invalidate our own thoughts as well. We all arrive at our separate conclusions through our own imaginations, past experiences, and past readings. Foster writes, "Nowhere is individuality clearer than in the matter of symbolism.” If one can detect figurative meanings through symbolism and open up their minds to the possibility of there being more than one correct interpretation, then one is truly literate.
Yes! There are always multiple interpretations in literature and analysis is subjective. This does not mean that one can just pull ideas out of the sky; however, as long as a person's interpretations can be justified with textual detail, they must be respected.
ReplyDeleteJames, I completely agree that literacy goes beyond only the basics of being able to read the words on a page. One must be able to find the rhetorical devices implemented by writers and interpret their meanings. While the interpretations of texts should vary, no one interpretations is incorrect as long as they relate to the topic and can be explained through the text. The joy of being literate is being able to comprehend and form your own opinion about the text and its meanings. I believe that symbolism is the greatest indicator of one being truly literate. The ability to discover the figurative meaning of a text shows that one is truly literate.
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