Seeking the meaning of a work from the author is a mistake, say New Critics and other traditional readers. “Intent” refers to what the writer meant to say; “fallacy” means an error in logic or reasoning.
The New Critics (1920s-1960s, mostly) suggest that good texts operate like machines. If the author succeeded in placing the meaning in the text, you can find it there. If they did not succeed, then the intention is not present.
Therefore, they say, find the meaning of a poem or novel in the poem or novel, nowhere else.
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