This quote from Barthes speaks volumes about the message that he was trying to convey in his writing that was discussed in class. It has become so easy for us to take things at face value that we neglect our creativity and fail to dig deeper. When it comes to reading, it is simple to skim and take the words we see literally. However, in most cases it is crucial to reread and determine if there is an underlying message that is trying to be conveyed.
In class we talked about negative space, and how it is just as important as the space that is filled. Furthermore, when applying that to text, what's being said is equally important as what isn't being said. What the writer implies can have just as much, if not more, value as what is written. Barthes also says that "from one reading to the next, we never skip the same passage". As readers, we never read something the same way each time. When rereading a piece of text, we pick up on different messages that we did not originally catch the first time. Also, something interesting that I hadn't thought of that was said in class was that if the reader rereads a text after a period of time goes by, it's possible that the reader's views have altered. This would impact the way the reader interprets the text, which would be different than the first time around. As time passes, we begin to grow and develop different outlooks on life. We form different opinions and gain more personal experience. That, alone, helps us as individuals to view texts in ways that coincide with who we are, what we know, and what we believe. Since no two individuals are the same, we interpret readings differently; readings mean something different to each person.
After reading and discussing Barthes, not only did I become more aware of how texts are different to each person, I began to see the importance of these differences. They are how we function as a society. If everyone sees something a little bit differently, then we are able to take texts that appear black and white, and expose numerous angles that were initially hidden. It encourages critical thinking, creativity, and acceptance. By also paying attention to what's not there gives us the opportunity to dig deeper and expand our knowledge as individuals.
In class we talked about negative space, and how it is just as important as the space that is filled. Furthermore, when applying that to text, what's being said is equally important as what isn't being said. What the writer implies can have just as much, if not more, value as what is written. Barthes also says that "from one reading to the next, we never skip the same passage". As readers, we never read something the same way each time. When rereading a piece of text, we pick up on different messages that we did not originally catch the first time. Also, something interesting that I hadn't thought of that was said in class was that if the reader rereads a text after a period of time goes by, it's possible that the reader's views have altered. This would impact the way the reader interprets the text, which would be different than the first time around. As time passes, we begin to grow and develop different outlooks on life. We form different opinions and gain more personal experience. That, alone, helps us as individuals to view texts in ways that coincide with who we are, what we know, and what we believe. Since no two individuals are the same, we interpret readings differently; readings mean something different to each person.
After reading and discussing Barthes, not only did I become more aware of how texts are different to each person, I began to see the importance of these differences. They are how we function as a society. If everyone sees something a little bit differently, then we are able to take texts that appear black and white, and expose numerous angles that were initially hidden. It encourages critical thinking, creativity, and acceptance. By also paying attention to what's not there gives us the opportunity to dig deeper and expand our knowledge as individuals.
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