Question

What is Intentional Fallacy?

• A. The reader's mistake of looking for a message in a work
• B. To see one's own mood reflected in a work
• C. Error in attempting to assess the writer's intention
• D. The work not being related to the author

Hint:

Remember the two major fallacies identified by New Criticism: \begin{enumerate} \item Intentional Fallacy: Don't base your interpretation on the author's intent. \item Affective Fallacy: Don't base your interpretation on the emotional effect the work has on the reader. \end{enumerate} Both emphasize focusing solely on the text itself.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
The question asks for the definition of "Intentional Fallacy," a key term from the school of New Criticism.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
\[\begin{array}{rl} \bullet & \text{The term "Intentional Fallacy" was introduced by W.K. Wimsatt and Monroe C. Beardsley in their 1946 essay. } \\ \bullet & \text{It refers to the fallacy (or error) of judging or interpreting a literary work by attempting to discover the author's original intention or purpose in creating it. } \\ \bullet & \text{New Critics argue that the work itself—the text on the page—is the only valid source for interpretation. What the author intended to do is irrelevant; what they actually did in the text is what matters. } \\ \bullet & \text{Therefore, attempting to assess the writer's intention is considered a critical error or fallacy. } \\ \end{array}\]

Step 3: Final Answer:
Option (C) accurately defines the Intentional Fallacy.