Against Interpretation & On Style by Susan Sontag (Essay Discussion)

Against Interpretation (1964) is one of the most influential essays of 20th-century criticism. In this essay, Sontag argues that our obsession with “interpreting” and explaining art—turning it into hidden meanings or moral lessons—dulls our direct experience of it. Instead, she calls for an “erotics of art,” encouraging us to feel and engage with works as they are, rather than reducing them to abstract ideas.

In her essay On Style (1965), she challenges the idea that “style” is something separate from “content.” Instead, she argues that style is not an accessory or decoration to meaning—it is intrinsic to it. For Sontag, the way something is expressed cannot be pulled apart from what it expresses. The essay asks us to rethink how we approach works of art: rather than stripping style away in search of “pure” meaning, we should recognize that style is itself a form of meaning.

Join us to discuss these classic essays!

Required Reading
Against Interpretation (10 pages)
On Style (20 pages)

I will be reading the paperback edition available here(https://www.amazon.com/dp/0312280866?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title)
free pdf download here(https://annas-archive.org/md5/3aec4880b86eb16bd6ae82cdf33073ed) \*click on the first slow download option
(other formats available too —epub & mobi for kindle—just search in search bar)

* Rules for Our Group

1\. Be Courteous
Respectful disagreement with others is totally acceptable. Condescending behavior is not.
2\. Be Concise
Keep comments on topic and relatively brief.
Moderators will do their best to make sure everyone gets a chance to speak who wants to.
3\. Do the Reading
If you have not done the reading for the week you are welcome to attend and listen to the discussion, but out of respect for those who have read, you will not be permitted to participate in the discussion.

For more info and FAQ on the group click here(https://docs.google.com/document/d/1dfefKv8HVAvyeXOvk1k8ihRqml5jnrI3mbvU-D6i0iA/edit?usp=sharing).

Can't wait to discuss these ideas with all of you!
-Zach

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