Subject/Objective Reality/Illusion

[Paul Mackin]

barbara100 at jps.net wrote:

> So what are objective and subjective readings anyway?

The normal way of viewing it is that reading and writing are subjective
although there are objects involved -- the book lying open in my lap, the ink
spread over the pages, the yellow tablet on my desk, the pencil., etc., etc. .
. .

> We love to toss those
> words around--I remember them bouncing off the walls in class--but what do
> they mean in the context of reading a novel?

Not much I would honestly have to say.

> A Thomas Pynchon novel, for
> example. Is an objective reading one where we focus on the intent of the
> writer--Gottfried as a gross example of the consequence of war and political
> corruption--

Subjective. How could it be otherwise?

> and a subjective reading one where we feel the text through
> personal filters--the flush of my cheeks when I pictured him stuffed into
> his death capsule wrapped in bridal lace and Imipolex G?

Blood rushing to face is objective.

> If these are our
> objective and subjective choices, I'd have to ask, How could we read one way
> without the other? Objective/Subjective--it's like the yin and yang of
> literature, and reality.
>

p.