Understanding Intentional Fallacy in Literary Criticism

The concept of Intentional Fallacy is a significant idea in literary theory, particularly associated with the New Critics like W. K. Wimsatt and Monroe Beardsley.

Defining Intentional Fallacy

The Intentional Fallacy refers to the mistake made when a reader or critic attempts to determine the meaning of a literary work by focusing on the author's supposed intention or plan in creating the work. According to New Criticism, the meaning of a poem, play, or any literary text should be derived solely from the text itself – its words, structure, and form. Evidence about the author's personal beliefs, historical context, or intended message is considered irrelevant and potentially misleading when interpreting the work's artistic merit and meaning.

Analyzing the Options

Let's look at why the other options are not the correct definition of Intentional Fallacy:

• Option 1: The reader's mistake of looking for a message in a work - While related to misinterpretation, this describes the Affective Fallacy, which focuses on the reader's emotional response rather than the author's intention.
• Option 2: To see one's own mood reflected in a work - This relates to subjective interpretation or projection, where the reader imposes their own feelings onto the text, rather than focusing on the author's intent or the text's internal structure.
• Option 4: The work not being related to the author - This is contrary to the idea of the Intentional Fallacy, which specifically involves bringing the author and their intentions into the interpretation process. New Criticism advocates for the autonomy of the literary work from the author.
• Option 3: Error in attempting to assess the writer's intention - This accurately captures the core concept. Critics commit the Intentional Fallacy when they use the author's biography or stated intentions as the primary basis for judging or interpreting a literary work. The focus should be on the text as an independent object.

Conclusion

Therefore, the most accurate definition of Intentional Fallacy is the error that arises from trying to ascertain or rely on the writer's intention when interpreting a literary piece.