“What is theory?” This question seemed to baffle the entire class at our first meeting. There was not one student that spoke up and gave their thoughts on what theory may be. Yet once our discussion began it became clear that each student had many ideas that they may not have known related to theory.
It was the second question asked to the class that facilitated our ideas on theory, “What do you believe is the single most important thing to consider when interpreting or analyzing a text?” Once every person was able to express their ideas there were two major theories that were blanketing what most were saying, authorial intent and context. Both are two very important aspects to consider while analyzing but my theory focused more specifically on the text itself. It is my belief that when analyzing it is important to start with the words themselves, the diction. An author has an infinite number of ways to deliver their message but he or she chooses only one. The words are chosen specifically; know their meaning, sounds, and connotations, to illustrate a specific message. When analyzing and interpreting the words themselves one might find that the words support the themes and ideas derived from the intent and context. Or perhaps the words will oppose those ideas creating a new way of interpreting the text.
For instance the clip “Doll on a Music Box” aroused ideas of subordination, classism, imprisonment and so on. The lyrics of the song support these ideas.
You cannot see, how much I long to be free
Turning around on this music box that's wound by a key
Yearning...
Yearning...
While I'm turning around and around
It is the words that demonstrate the previously stated ideas because without them the audience is only able to infer the true message of the scene. The lyrics of the song confirm these ideas.
