Question

Roland Barthes in his famous essay, “The Death of the Author” ________.

• A. believes that the text is to be interpreted in the biographical context of the author
• B. challenges the author’s claim as “cogito”, or origin of all knowledge
• C. believes that the author has sole claim to his work
• D. concludes that an author is an atypical product of his social milieu

Hint:

Barthes' essay encourages readers to engage with a text without relying on the author's personal context. The focus shifts from "what the author meant" to "what the text can mean to the reader."

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Roland Barthes' Argument in The Death of the Author.
In his 1967 essay The Death of the Author, Roland Barthes argues that the identity and intentions of the author should not constrain or limit the interpretation of a text. Barthes criticizes the idea that understanding a text requires knowledge of the author’s biography, intentions, or personal context. He famously asserts that the "death" of the author means that the text exists independently from its creator, and that meaning is not simply derived from the author's intended message.

Step 2: Explanation of the Options.
- (A) "Believes that the text is to be interpreted in the biographical context of the author." This contradicts Barthes' central argument in the essay. Barthes rejects the idea of interpreting a text strictly based on the author’s personal context.
- (B) "Challenges the author’s claim as “cogito”, or origin of all knowledge." This is the correct answer, as Barthes challenges the traditional idea of the author as the origin of meaning in the text, suggesting instead that meaning is created through the interaction of the reader with the text itself.
- (C) "Believes that the author has sole claim to his work." This is incorrect, as Barthes argues against the idea that the author has exclusive control over the meaning of their work.
- (D) "Concludes that an author is an atypical product of his social milieu." While Barthes does emphasize the influence of culture and society on an author, his main point is that the author’s personal context should not define the text’s meaning.

Step 3: Conclusion.
The correct answer is (B) because Barthes critiques the author's claim as the ultimate source of meaning and knowledge about the text, positioning the reader as the creator of meaning. Barthes’ essay advocates for an open-ended, reader-centered approach to literature.