The author should die once he has finished writing. So as not to trouble the path of the text

The author should die once he has finished writing. So as not to trouble the path of the text

Umberto Eco, the renowned Italian author and philosopher, once famously said, "The author should die once he has finished writing. So as not to trouble the path of the text." This statement has sparked much debate and discussion among literary circles, as it raises questions about the role of the author in the interpretation and reception of a text.

Eco's assertion can be interpreted in several ways. On one level, it can be seen as a call for the author to relinquish control over the meaning of their work once it is out in the world. By "dying" metaphorically, the author allows the text to stand on its own, free from the constraints of the author's intentions or personal biography. This idea aligns with the poststructuralist notion that meaning is not fixed or stable, but rather emerges through the interaction between the text and the reader.

Furthermore, Eco's statement can also be seen as a rejection of the cult of the author, which places undue emphasis on the author's identity and intentions. By "dying" after finishing a work, the author becomes a mere conduit for the text, rather than its ultimate authority. This challenges the traditional view of the author as a singular, all-powerful figure who dictates the meaning of their work.