The Death of the Author Reconsidered: Reading Barthes Literally
More than half a century after its publication, Barthes's formula the death of the author continues to circulate far beyond the context in which it first appeared. It has become one of those rare theoretical expressions that seem to possess a life of their own. The phrase is quoted in classrooms, invoked in debates about interpretation, and cited whenever questions of authorship arise. Even those who have never read Barthes often recognize the title. Part of its success undoubtedly lies in its dramatic character. The phrase sounds radical. It evokes rupture, rebellion, and intellectual iconoclasm. It appears to announce the overthrow of one of the central figures of Western culture. The author, long regarded as the origin of meaning and the source of literary authority, is symbolically executed. The title possesses an almost theological resonance. One does not merely revise or qualify the author; one declares the author's death. It is therefore unsurprising that the phrase...
