To be and not to be

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This study explores the interrelated concepts of interpretation, iconicity, and fiction in art and literary narratives. It adopts two perspectives: a semiotic approach that examines what a work of art represents and a psychological perspective that considers audience interpretation. The book engages with contemporary research in analytic aesthetics and narratology, drawing particularly on Nelson Goodman’s symbol theory to develop new concepts related to interpretation, iconicity, and fictionality. The first section addresses key literary theory questions, including the meaning of "intentional interpretation," the connection between literary interpretation and everyday discourse as analyzed by Paul Grice, and the placement of aesthetic interpretation within broader interpretive practices. These discussions provide conceptual tools for the subsequent sections. The second part introduces the idea of pictorial representation, extending it to verbal and literary contexts, such as temporal matching, quotation, and narrative point of view. The final section examines recent philosophical perspectives on fictionality, contributing to a deeper understanding of these interconnected themes.