I used to think a book's meaning was fixed by the author's intent, but after joining a monthly reading group where we dissected 'The Great Gatsby', I realized our diverse interpretations added layers I'd never considered. We argued about whether Gatsby was a tragic hero or just a deluded criminal, and both sides had solid evidence. Does the reader's interpretation hold as much weight as what the author originally meant, or should we defer to the text as written? I'm torn, especially since my own reading shifts every time I revisit a classic.