“A narrative is like a room on whose walls a number of false doors have been painted; while within the narrative, we have many apparent choices of exit, but when the author leads us to one particular door, we know it is the right one because it opens…” – John Updike
Earlier this week in class, I raised issue with the claim that every work is symbolic. It turns out, I was wrong in thinking there’s such a thing as “no symbolism” but it’s because my idea of symbolism was kind of tainted. Admittedly, it has become a negative connotation, usually used to describe a work that is cumbersome, filled with self-importance. Symbolism was being used in a different way, though. Symbolism in the sense of what everything means for you, it’s different than what I had in mind, which was probably a lot closer to semiotics.
The comparison was raised between a reader’s personal symbolism and this quote from John Updike, which actually seems to refute the claim. Every work has the potential to mean something different to everyone, or, in other words, there are plenty of options / doors in the room that is the narrative. Updike seems to be saying that our reading/perception of a work can remain true, until otherwise proven not so by the author. For example, I might think some story is about a lost love, and that door can be followed, until the author closes it. He or she may do this by emphasizing and downplaying certain themes. If they emphasize a different motif entirely, I’d be just stubborn to try to continue through the door I previously choose. Sort of like trying to fit a square peg into a round socket or however that expression goes.
I still think art’s meaning comes from those observing it, otherwise it is without a purpose. There’s no point to constructing a building if no one will work in it, and there’s point to expressing your feelings through an artform if you don’t anticipate some consumption by the public. On the other hand, there is the approach that a work can be so personal that is only intended to be a way for the creator to manifest his or her feelings. Still, these works almost always have something of a following.
