That’s the thing about symbolism. What you get from a piece of art is what you get from it. It doesn’t matter if the creator intended it or not your interpretation is perfectly valid, whether others agree with you or not.
I think this is a big part of why people don’t understand or don’t like this sort of analysis - so often, its written not as “I like this because it reminds me of X which I value.” but as, “The curtains were blue which is the author representing the sadness of the character as they are going through this event.” or worse yet, “The curtains were blue which is the author representing the sadness of the character as they are going through this event. Write a paper agreeing with me on this.” When objective, non-personal interpretation that enforces author’s intent as the true meaning (while also ignoring author’s intent) is often what is taught and what people are exposed to, its no wonder that people view the whole practice as nonsense.
That’s the thing about symbolism. What you get from a piece of art is what you get from it. It doesn’t matter if the creator intended it or not your interpretation is perfectly valid, whether others agree with you or not.
I think this is a big part of why people don’t understand or don’t like this sort of analysis - so often, its written not as “I like this because it reminds me of X which I value.” but as, “The curtains were blue which is the author representing the sadness of the character as they are going through this event.” or worse yet, “The curtains were blue which is the author representing the sadness of the character as they are going through this event. Write a paper agreeing with me on this.” When objective, non-personal interpretation that enforces author’s intent as the true meaning (while also ignoring author’s intent) is often what is taught and what people are exposed to, its no wonder that people view the whole practice as nonsense.