Interpreting Tolkien: Authorial Intent or Death of the Author?

There are two schools of thought when it comes to interpreting a work of fiction. One says we should pay attention to what the author intended, while the other says we can completely disregard the author's intent. I fall in the former camp, and this video explains why.

Videos referenced:

Tolkien on Politics: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufT7wgWr3rM
Response to Wisecrack: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZ4Ej5Ng_nU

Other Links:

Rumble at https://rumble.com/c/c-355195
Odysee: https://odysee.com/@TolkienLore:f
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jrrtlore
Patreon: www.patreon.com/tolkiengeek.