“There is no outside-text”
— Jacques Derrida
Simplified Meaning:
This quote means that everything we read or see is influenced by our thoughts, experiences, and context. We can't separate ourselves completely from what we encounter. For example, when two people read the same book, they might understand it differently because of their unique backgrounds. One might notice the love story, while another might focus on the historical setting. This shows that our interpretation is always shaped by who we are. It's a reminder that our understanding of things is always personal and subjective, and we should be open to different viewpoints. When applying this to life, it teaches us to appreciate others' perspectives and realize that our own view is not the only one.
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Context Deconstruction Interpretation Literary theory Meaning Philosophy of language SemioticsFEATURED QUOTES