The aesthetic meaning of ambiguity in literature

DOI: 10.18173/2354-1067.2022-0037

Abstract

“Ambiguity” was first proposed by W.Empson in his work Seven types of ambiguity (1930). According to him, ambiguity "is an undefined meaning, an intention to express many kinds of things that allow for many interpretations". Ambiguity can be classified into two forms: ambiguously definite polysemy and ambiguously indefinite polysemy. Ambiguity is a characteristic aspect of artistic thinking. it dominates and leaves its mark on the artistic creation process. Ambiguity is an important quality in literary life: it opens the endless field of meaning, making literature the key to helping people open the door to dominate all aspects of human life; It is the aspect that makes the aesthetics of literature; Ambiguity promotes the imagination, cocreation of the reader; it is a measure of the artist's talent in creating a breakthrough of words and a sense of artistic innovation.