1. To what extent can the meaning of a literary work change over time
To what extent can the meaning of a literary work change over time? How does this questions apply to at least two works that you have read?
By April and Imogen

2. Key Words
to what extent…
meaning…
change…
how…

3. Because our ideologies in society change, our interpretation of a text changes when we read it even though the text remains the same. This is evident in Merchant of Venice and the Reader…

4. Two Main Points
How the text is interpreted in the context it was written
How the text is interpreted today – modern/ contemporary audience – 21st century

5. Merchant of Venice – Elizabethan era
In the Elizabethan era, social beliefs of Jews were demonised.
Christian beliefs were strong and influenced law
Everyone was religious  accepted norm
The bad treatment of Jewish people was accepted by all
Money is linked with greed (negative connotations)  Shylock is associated
Shylock, represents all Jews in the play, values money over relationships
Whereas Christians all value relationships over business

6. The Reader – Post wwii Guilt of Nazi War Criminals
The post Nazi generation trying to come to terms with the past (Michael) -> very judgmental of their parent generation
Relate to Michael and his struggles to come to terms with the past
Relationship frowned upon within society -> Michael keeps this from his friends/family
Illiteracy was seen as a social norm for her generation
Takes certain people from war camps  unfair treatment – favouritism

7. Merchant of Venice – NOW
Sympathy towards Shylock
Understanding that Christians aren’t always good people
Shylock is bad because he lends money with interest  now-a-days this is an accepted and practiced trade
Greed is still seen as bad  but we would not see Shylock as very greedy in comparison to the Elizabethan era
Jessica is seen as a little out of control  a lot of time when Shylock looks out for Jessica
The relationship between Portia and Bassanio  during those days the method used to decide Portia’s husband was normal  now it is very rare and unusual
The age at which the characters are married is very young  now it is frowned upon.
Not everyone practises a religion

8. The Reader – Now
Feel sympathetic towards Hanna  lack of opportunities
More understanding of her actions  due to her economic status
See Michael and others like him as bad because they judge Hanna
At first think the relationship is weird  get used to it after a while
Illiteracy is very rare in developed countries and thus we feel sympathetic towards Hanna
Before reading the book we sympathise for the Jews but after reading we get an understanding of the German perspective
Takes certain people from war camps  see her as protecting them

9. Conclusion
It can be seen that the time period and context in which someone reads a text affects the way in which they interpret the meaning - the actual text does not change it
Meaning is established through the social construction at that time.
Social norms differ greatly from now in comparison to when the texts were written and vice versa.
Meaning is also dependent on culture, religion, demographics