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• March 7, 2025
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Are you preparing for the CUET PG English exam? Of course! Exam is on March 26. Here is another informative blog which will help you revise better in a short time. Today, we are going to discuss the intentional fallacy in short with examples. Okay! Are you ready? Sit with your notebooks and pens. Pen down your notes before you move on to the next topic for revision. We have a small typed study guide for CUET PG Literature. In this study-guide, we are going to discuss one of the key theories in English Literature: The Intentional Fallacy. Cool! Let’s start!

Why study intentional fallacy?

Suddenly, why do we need to discuss this literary theory? It is clearly stated in your CUET PG English Syllabus. Therefore, it is an important aspect which you need to understand deeply. This blog is for your quick revision. So, follow the blog till the end. It will help you to clear your concepts for your CUET-PG exam. Read on…

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What is intentional fallacy?

Intentional fallacy refers to a false idea that many people still believe is true. But why would they intend to do so? Let’s understand the concept more deeply. It is a term used in 20th century literary criticism. Okay! What is it related to? Critics like W.K. Wimsatt and Monroe C. Beardsley in their essay The Intentional Fallacy (1946) introduced this concept. They argued that an author’s intention should not be the primary focus when analyzing a literary work. Instead, meaning should be derived from the text itself. So, if you are critically analyzing a text, you might not understand the author’s intentions cent percent. So, you do not need to understand his/her intentions. The intentional fallacy forces you to think like a cultural historian or a psychologist. Additionally, “the meaning, structure, and value of the text are inherent within the finished, free standing, and public work of literature itself,” said Joshi (2015). This is an important aspect of New Criticism, which emphasized close analysis of literary texts without consideration of intentions of the author, biography, or historical context. But why should we not consider them?

Hmm… interesting question! As per the literary critics who supported this concept, referring to the author’s supposed purposes, to the author’s personal situations and taste of mind is held to be harmful because it diverts our attention to external matters which may eventually lead to ignoring inherent value of the literary text.

What happens next? How do we analyze texts then?

Interesting! You never appreciated what you have read. Literature is not merely a chunk of chronologies, authors, and their works. It has its own layered and mirroring styles which we call “literary theory” or “literary criticism”. Intentional Fallacy basically reminds us that we, as readers, must read the text with different views by reading at the level of content and as well as from narrator’s point of view. When we do this, we will truly demonstrate a good understanding of the text.

Key points to remember:

• Author’s Intent is Irrelevant – A text’s meaning is independent of what the author intended.
• Focus on the Text – Literary interpretation should be based on the structure, language, and form of the text rather than external factors.
• New Criticism Approach – This idea aligns with New Criticism, which emphasizes close reading of the text.
• Objective Analysis – The reader should rely on textual evidence rather than biographical or historical context.

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Need an example for a simple and better understanding of the intentional fallacy? Yes! We are travelling together. Holding each other through words just for the time being. Suppose a poet writes a poem on daffodils to express his love for nature but you know that your beloved person also loves daffodils. So, you will understand the aesthetics of that poetry from the lens of being a beholder of your beloved. Truly, beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder. If you love a text, you become its beholder. Once you hold it, why would you care about who wrote it, who did not? What do you say? This is exactly what Wimsatt and Beardsley argued: a text is autonomous, and meaning is created in the act of reading, not in the mind of the author. It is like travelling together with words, where each traveller sees a different landscape through the same window.

This is why we consider Literature as the most aesthetic and loving subject.

Why is this Important for CUET PG English?

The CUET PG English syllabus includes literary theories and criticism. Understanding Intentional Fallacy will help you approach texts critically and answer objective as well as subjective questions based on literary interpretation.

Pro Tip: Practice close reading techniques and focus on textual evidence rather than biographical details when analyzing literature!

If you want to learn about such literary concepts and literary theories, follow us! If you want to know how to prepare for your CUET-PG English exam,

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FAQs on Intentional Fallacy

1. What is Intentional Fallacy?

Intentional Fallacy is the idea that an author’s intention should not be the primary basis for interpreting a literary work. Instead, meaning should be derived from the text itself. This concept was introduced by W.K. Wimsatt and Monroe C. Beardsley in their 1946 essay The Intentional Fallacy.

2. Why is it called a “fallacy”?

This is called a fallacy because relying on the author’s intention to interpret a text can be misleading. A work of literature should be understood through its language, form, and structure, not the personal motives or background of its creator.

3. Does this mean the author’s intention is completely irrelevant?

Not necessarily, but according to New Criticism, which promotes this idea, the author’s intent is not necessary for understanding a text. While historical or biographical context might add insight, they should not dictate the meaning of a literary work.

4. Can readers interpret a text however they want?

Yes and no. While readers bring their own perspectives, interpretations should still be grounded in textual evidence. A valid interpretation must be supported by the words, structure, and themes present in the text.

5. How does Intentional Fallacy relate to “Death of the Author”?

Roland Barthes’ Death of the Author (1967) expands on this idea by suggesting that a text exists independently of its creator. Meaning is determined by the reader, not the writer. Both theories emphasize that a text belongs to its readers, not its author.

6. Can an author’s biography help in understanding a text?

It can provide context, but it should not be the sole lens through which we interpret meaning. Intentional Fallacy urges readers to focus on the text itself rather than external factors like the author’s life or intentions.

7. What is an example of Intentional Fallacy?

If a poet writes about daffodils to express their love for nature, but a reader interprets it as a metaphor for their beloved’s favourite flower, both readings are valid. The poet’s personal intent does not limit how the poem can be experienced.

8. How does this apply to CUET PG English preparation?

CUET PG English includes literary criticism, and understanding Intentional Fallacy will help in analyzing texts objectively. Focus on textual analysis rather than an author’s background when answering literary theory-based questions.

Key Takeaway: A literary text is an independent entity. Meaning is created through reading, not dictated by the writer’s intent.

If you are interested in accessing the latest hardcopy and softcopy notes, course syllabus, previous years’ question papers, answer keys, crash courses, Google Drive Course, and wish to receive personal guidance from Prof. Vineet Pandey, please fill out the form!