Authorial intent in Star Wars - does it matter or not?

I'll briefly write my opinion on this.

Once an author publishes his/her work and that is accepted into the continuity by the story group/whoever is in charge of such things, it becomes canon.

Canon is the keyword here. Because when discussing Star Wars canon, only things that are part of it, should be treated as fact. This is literally so obvious, that it should not need stating. And yet it does, because whatever notes an author has made on his/her work after the publishing, are not canon, unless accepted into the continuity by the story group, is not canon.

And yet people still use them freely in debates concerning the Star Wars canon, despite not being part of it. A common defence (the only defence that I've heard so far) is that the author made the work, therefore his/her opinion over it is official.

But in reality, the only thing that's official here is what's approved by the story group. And the author's opinion on their own work is not (except in the case of Lucas but he's an exception to the rule). Honestly, I might as well accept fanfics as well, and make up some random excuse to back it up.

Yeah, an excuse. Because that's all it is. The rules of canon are clear. Authors have absolutely zero power over it; their words cannot bend its rules. Authorial intent is an excuse to further one's agenda, and that's it.

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My opinion of course, you are free to have your own. Let's discuss this in a civil manner.

Originally posted by Azronger
Let's discuss this in a civil manner.

Choke on a dick.

Originally posted by cs_zoltan [QUOTE=16183458]Originally posted by Azronger
I'll briefly write my opinion on this.

Authors have absolutely zero power over it.

My opinion of course, you are free to have your own. Let's discuss this in a civil manner.

Because the authors know the correct interpretation of what they wrote. Duh.

It's irrelevant. Death of the author. Etc...

Arguably yeah, though if they are clarifying on a matter of fact. I don't see that as problematic.

Originally posted by NewGuy01
Because the authors know the correct interpretation of what they wrote. Duh.

Originally posted by NewGuy01
Because the authors know the correct interpretation of what they wrote. Duh.

Originally posted by NewGuy01
Because the authors know the correct interpretation of what they wrote. Duh.

Yep, this.

Originally posted by DarthAnt66 [QUOTE=16183471]Originally posted by NewGuy01
Because the authors know the correct interpretation of what they wrote. Duh.

Originally posted by nfactor1995
Yep, this.

Az would neglect "Vader's roughly 80% as strong as Sidious" just to suit his anti-Revan hormonal tantrums.

Originally posted by NewGuy01
Because the authors know the correct interpretation of what they wrote. Duh.

On a serious note when someone comments on their own work, it okay. If someone asks their opnion on something, that's not.

For example FPJ saying "yeah Kanan was in Oneness" is acceptable. Drew saying who would win between Revan, Bane, and Vader is not.

Originally posted by Azronger
With that out of the way, I'd say it's quite laughable to suggest Tyth is beating Vader. Yes, I said it: Darth Vader beats Tyth.

Feels before reals?

The authors can clarify an event/explain it, from their own works, yeah... They can't, however, just randomly decide who in their personal opinion is the most OP/most interesting/most combatively capable and have that as being official, unless the company canonizes it.

Originally posted by MythLord
The authors can clarify an event/explain it, from their own works, yeah... They can't, however, just randomly decide who in their personal opinion is the most OP/most interesting/most combatively capable and have that as being official, unless the company canonizes it.

This pretty much sums up my view on this issue.

Originally posted by NewGuy01
Because the authors know the correct interpretation of what they wrote. Duh.

Oh? So there is a "correct interpretation" now? Unless it's accepted into the canon, there is no such thing as a "correct interpretation".

Originally posted by Geistalt
Az would neglect "Vader's roughly 80% as strong as Sidious" just to suit his anti-Revan hormonal tantrums. [/B]

No idea what I've ever done to upset you, tbh.

But, no, I don't have an anti-Revan agenda. And I dismiss that quote for a different reason altogether: Lucas has said he considers the EU (Legends) a different universe entirely. Therefore, we can logically conclude, that whatever comments he makes, he's not taking the EU into account. And in the EU, Vader isn't near Sidious' power level, as evidenced by his Master casually stomping him and other Vader-tier Force users, as well as Vader's clear inability to replicate or come close to Sidious' best environmental feats.

I feel that's enough to justify me ignoring that statement.

Originally posted by Geistalt
In a thread where people were seriously contesting Tyth vs. TPM Sidious.

Feels before reals?

No idea what you're trying to say here, tbh.

Originally posted by MythLord
The authors can clarify an event/explain it, from their own works, yeah... They can't, however, just randomly decide who in their personal opinion is the most OP/most interesting/most combatively capable and have that as being official, unless the company canonizes it.

And what makes the other valid and the other not? They're both statements outside canon, therefore, both don't count.

Originally posted by NewGuy01
Because the authors know the correct interpretation of what they wrote. Duh.

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