How Do You Spell AUTHORISM?
Pronunciation: [ˈɔːθəɹˌɪzəm] (IPA) 
Pronunciation: [ˈɔːθəɹˌɪzəm] (IPA)
Authorism refers to the practice or belief in the authority, power, or control of an individual author over their work. It encompasses the idea that the author possesses the ultimate and sole power to determine the interpretation, meaning, and representation of their creative output. Within this context, the concept of authorism emphasizes the autonomy, ownership, and privileged position of the author in shaping and dictating the reception and understanding of their work.
Authorism often manifests itself in various ways, such as the insistence on the author's original intentions or the belief that an author's biography is crucial to understanding their work. It can also involve the author's control over adaptations, translations, or interpretations of their work, thereby safeguarding the fidelity and integrity of their artistic vision. Moreover, authorism can lead to a hierarchical relationship between the author and their audience, positioning the former as an authoritative figure and the latter as passive recipients.
However, authorism is not without its criticisms. Some argue that it appraises the author's authority at the expense of the reader's interpretive agency, disregarding the multifaceted and evolving nature of meaning creation. Critics also contend that authorism can limit the exploration of alternative readings and undermine the potential richness of diverse interpretations.
In contemporary literary and cultural theory, discussions surrounding authorism have influenced broader debates about the role of the author, reader, text, and context in the interpretation and understanding of creative works.
