Speaker: Like many contemporary critics, Smith argues that the true me

Question

Speaker: Like many contemporary critics, Smith argues that the true meaning of an author's statements can be understood only through insight into the author's social circumstances. But this same line of analysis can be applied to Smith's own words. Thus, if she is right we should be able, at least in part, to discern from Smith's social circumstances the "true meaning" of Smith's statements. This, in turn, suggests that Smith herself is not aware of the true meaning of her own words.

The speaker's main conclusion logically follows if which one of the following is assumed?

(A) Insight into the intended meaning of an author's work is not as important as insight into its true meaning.

(B) Smith lacks insight into her own social circumstances.

(C) There is just one meaning that Smith intends her work to have.

(D) Smith's theory about the relation of social circumstances to the understanding of meaning lacks insight.

(E) The intended meaning of an author's work is not always good evidence of its true meaning.

GMATNinja · Accepted Answer

Thanks for this,  KaranB1 ! That's exactly right...

Smith argues that "the true meaning of an author's statements can be understood only through insight into the author's social circumstances". In other words, without that insight, you do not understand the author's true meaning.

The speaker then applies that logic to Smith's own words... we need 1) Smith's words and 2) an insight into Smith's social circumstances in order to discern her true meaning.

"This, in turn, suggests that Smith herself is not aware of the true meaning of her own words." - The speaker is implying that Smith only has her words, not the insight part. But that statement is only valid if we assume that Smith does NOT already have insight into her own social circumstances, as stated in choice (B).

I hope that helps!

testpv · Answer

How does the Option B apply? I did not understand how it would hint at Smith lacking insight into her own social circumstances? Isn't Option D a better pick?

Sonali4794 · Answer

B would be a better option since there is a gap in Smith's correlation to her social circumstances. Option D generalizes the theory suggested by Smith which if true would not be applicable to any author not just Smith but we do not have data to suggest that. In short B is a better option than D.

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Posted from my mobile device

KaranB1 · Answer

testpv

Augment stems as below

Understanding the true meaning= author's statements + author's social circumstances

Conclusion- This, in turn, suggests that  Smith herself is not aware of the true meaning of her own words .

So clearly the assumption is "Smith is unaware of her own social circumstances"

dhruvasv5 · Answer

Conclusion: Smith is not aware of true meaning of her own words.

If assumption(Correct answer: She lacks insight into her own circumstance)fails, then she will be aware of true meaning of her own words.(I.e - conclusion fails).

VerbalBot · Answer

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Speaker: Like many contemporary critics, Smith argues that the true me

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Speaker: Like many contemporary critics, Smith argues that the true me

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