English 1C Essay #1: The Hermeneutic
Consider Benjamins distinction between what is meant and the way of meaning it (257) and how the intention of a text and its modes of intention can create intratextual conflict (74). Although Benjamins apparent subject matter is translation from one language to another, his observations can be applied to all writing, for in any text, there is the intentioeven if we cannot apprehend it and even if we ascribe no interpretive importance to authorial intentionand there is the modus.
How does this phenomenon impact approaches to textual interpretation? Should any legitimate hermeneutic consider the possibility of intentionality/modality conflict? In other words, if one knows what a text means to say, is discussion of the manner of meaning merely academic? As part of your discussion and analysis of the intersection of mode/intention and its effect on textual interpretation, you must include (in a way of your own choosing, but a
significant way) an analysis/discussion of the episode Darmok we watched in class during week 1. Explain.
