Appropriation: The tendency of readers to interpret texts according to their own cultural presuppositions, regardless of those of the author - and even if the author wrote the work from a different cultural or ideological perspective.Ross Murfin and Supryia M. Ray (The Bedford Glossary of Critical and Literary Terms)
While reading through the first paragraph of T. S. Eliot's "Tradition and the Individual Talent," I came across this statement: "If otherwise, it is vaguely approbative, with the implication, as to the work approved, of some pleasing archæological reconstruction."
I admit it, I've heard the word several times and never really bothered to look it up. I think it is one of those words that people skim over because the meaning isn't one they really want to be bothered with. After all, it's hard to never be guilty of appropriation. After all, when a meaning hits close to home, it is easier to ignore it.
Hey! What is wrong with interpreting things with your own point of view? I like doing it. Sometimes it gets me into trouble because I'll take something in a completely different manner than the writer intended, but that is half the fun of reading. To read things that are outside of your box and putting your own spin on it. Good word Diana!
Posted by: Tiffany at January 31, 2007 9:25 PM