Interpretation of a Literary Text from the Perspective of Critical Thinking

Abstract

This article examines the role of critical thinking in the process of interpreting literary texts. It emphasizes the
inherently multi-layered and open nature of literature, which resists fixed meanings and allows for diverse interpretations
shaped by the reader’s active engagement. In this context, the reader is not a passive recipient but an active participant in the
construction of meaning. The main objective of the study is to demonstrate how critical thinking enables readers to move beyond
subjective impressions and develop well-argued and academically grounded interpretations. The research is based on
hermeneutic, interpretative, and analytical methodologies, including close reading and the comparative analysis of key
theoretical perspectives. The findings suggest that critical thinking functions as a fundamental intellectual mechanism that
structures the interpretative process. It allows readers to analyze textual features, contextual influences, and underlying
meanings while supporting logical reasoning and evidence-based conclusions. As a result, literary interpretation becomes not
only an individual response but also an academically valid and methodologically informed process. The study concludes that a
deep understanding of literature is inseparable from critical thinking, as it enables the identification of multiple layers of
meaning and transforms reading into a reflective and intellectually rigorous activity.