To Whom Does a Work Belong?—The "Death of the Author", the Freedom of Interpretation and Adaptation, and the Diversity of Fans

Once a work is released to the public, it transcends the author's control and begins to acquire new meanings bestowed upon it by fans and society at large. Roland Barthes' concept of the "death of the author" encapsulates the idea that the interpretation of a work becomes independent of the creator's intent, with readers and viewers assuming the role of breathing new life into the piece. In today's world, this phenomenon is particularly evident through fan activities and derivative works. Crucially, a work ceases to be a mere object of consumption and instead becomes a living entity that is "recreated" by fans.

The Re-creation by Fans and the Formation of Communities

Fan engagement extends far beyond passive consumption, evolving into an active process of creation. Through activities like pilgrimages to locations associated with the work, self-published fan literature, fan fiction, and fan art, fans interact with the work in myriad ways, thus endowing it with new interpretations and greater value. These activities do more than provide entertainment; they foster connections among fans, forming communities or "fandoms".

As these communities grow, the influence of the work begins to extend beyond its initial audience, transforming into a broader social phenomenon. The interpretations and fresh perspectives that emerge from fan engagement expand the understanding of the work itself, drawing in new audiences. The shared experiences and values within these fan communities integrate the work into a larger social framework, amplifying its societal impact.

The Author's Role: Focus on Primary Creation

While a work may gain broader recognition as a social artefact, the author's role should be confined to the creation and initial presentation of the work. The author plays an essential part in crafting the piece according to their vision and releasing it to the world, but once published, they should refrain from exercising control over its interpretation or future development. After a work is made public, it is essential to allow fans and communities the freedom to interpret and recreate it, which in turn is necessary for its growth.

Should the author intervene excessively in the work’s evolution, imposing specific interpretations, there is a risk that the organic development of the fan community and fandom may be stifled. It is only by allowing fans to freely engage and add new meanings and values to the work that it can transcend time and culture, continuing to evolve.

The Work as a Social Phenomenon and Its Evolution

Through fan-driven re-interpretation and the creation of communities, a work transforms from an individual object of appreciation into a social phenomenon. As a result, the work extends beyond its original audience, reaching an ever-wider range of individuals. The discussions and creative activities within fan communities re-contextualise the work within broader cultural and social frameworks, redefining its significance.

This process is crucial for a work to endure across time and culture. Through adaptations and derivative works, it continuously adapts to the values and sensibilities of different cultures and eras, gaining new life in each context. The evolution of Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew into Bernard Shaw's Pygmalion, and subsequently into the film My Fair Lady, serves as an excellent example of how a work is re-evaluated in light of the prevailing norms of each era and culture, acquiring new interpretations and value. Each time a work is revisited, it is reinvigorated with fresh vitality, allowing it to resonate within contemporary society.

The Risk of Authorial Intervention

However, when an author attempts to excessively intervene in the secondary development or interpretation of their work, it risks stunting its growth. Imposing a specific interpretation and excluding the diverse perspectives of the fan community leads to the work becoming shackled to a singular "correct" interpretation. This rigidity hinders the work's flexibility and stifles the possibility of multiple interpretations arising.

Since fan-driven interpretations and re-creations are integral to the evolution of a work, authors should adopt a lenient attitude towards these activities, without clinging to their original intentions. It is this freedom for fans to approach a work from their own perspectives that forms the foundation for its continued legacy across generations.

Conclusion: The Freedom of Interpretation and Adaptation, and the Re-creation by Fans

For a work to truly endure, the freedom to interpret and adapt it must be respected, and the re-creation of the work by fans must be encouraged. Fans do not merely consume the work; they play an active role in imbuing it with new meanings and expanding its reach. Through this process, the work flourishes within fan communities and exerts an ever-growing influence on wider society.

The author should focus on the primary act of creation and presentation, without becoming a dominant force in the subsequent development or interpretation. Once released, the free activity of fan communities should be respected, allowing the work to accrue diverse meanings and continue to evolve into the future. The value of a work lies not only in the author's intent but in how fans reinterpret and recreate it. It is this re-creation by fans that allows a work to endure, transcending both time and culture.