Conflict of Interpretations in Literary Criticism: Productivity, Nature, Ways of Solution

Abstract

The article considers the literary problem of a literary work interpretation in the
context of the general cultural problem of understanding. The attitude of poststructuralist literary criticism
to interpretation is characterized on the basis of the concept of “conflict of interpretations”, developed
within the framework of philosophical hermeneutics (P. Ricœur). In particular, the refusal to evaluate
the interpretation is criticized, the importance of intersubjective verification of the meanings articulated
in the process of interpretation is emphasized, and particular attention is paid to U. Eco’s reflections
about the “boundaries of interpretation”. The process of a literary work interpretation is correlated
with literary-critical evaluation, the main components of which (the subject of interpretation, its basis,
object, and character according to R. Gromiak) undergo a distinctive transformation, emphasizing the
dynamic nature of interpretation, the fundamental incompleteness of the meaning-making process, the
dialogical nature of meaning. Interpretive strategies of modern literary criticism are characterized as
derived from two typical for European culture interpretative systems – ancient (mythological) and
Christian (religious), taking into account P. Ricœur’s regressive-progressive method. Their combination
and constant transformation of the configuration of this combination show the vectors of development
of European culture, its current state, determine the arsenal of interpretive strategies used in the process
of meaning-making within various discourses, including art and literature. The conflict between
the regressive psychoanalytic and teleological Hegelian conceptions of human nature, outlined by
P. Ricœur within the conflict of interpretations, is explained by the contradictions between the ancient
and Christian interpretative systems (ways of meaning-making), which are genetically interconnected,
complementary and at the same time different.