Regardless of whether or not an artist included a specific, distinctive message to their work, it remains the purview of the audience to determine what the piece means to them individually. Everyone views art through the lens of their personal perspectives, and what we glean from it is arguably more reflective or telling of our own mentality than the original intention of the creator. I’m always receptive to hearing and giving credence to a multitude of various interpretations put forth, no matter if they happen to be intricate, comprehensive, and philosophical, or simply straightforward and literal.

Additionally, the reservation of judgement is absolutely integral when striving to anatomize the underlying moral ambiguities and complexities of a person’s motivations, ideologies, and behaviors. The intention to understand someone instead of immediately condemn them correlates to becoming a stronger character writer and a more empathetic, compassionate person overall.