1. Why do you think authors include hidden messages (like morals of the story) in their story.
I know self expression has already been said, but I also think it’s to add value. Like, in addition to entertaining readers, you also give them something to think about
1a. Do you think that they include it on purpose?
I’d say so most of the time. I think sometimes it can be an after thought, that the author only adds in once they’ve gotten so far into their story and they’ve noticed it’s going a different direction.
But all in all, what a reader takes from a story, might not be what the author intended. So the author might think it’s “just a story” but someone out there has found a message within it anyway.
2. Do you yourself, like stories with clear morals.
Yes, but I need to be in the right kind of mood to read such a story.
3. Give an example of a story you read in which there was a hidden meaning.
At the moment, I’ve been reading Equality by Amanda Michele. The title sort of gives away the message lol
4. Does every story have a moral / hidden meaning / hidden message?
I sort of touched on it before… I think that even if an author doesn’t intend on writing a lesson to be learnt, a reader can find a hidden message in anything. So maybe yes?
4a. Is this necessarily a good thing? Can it be a bad thing?
I think it’s a good thing that the power of words can potentially shift someone’s views. I guess if you abuse your power though to influence something bad, then yeah it can be a bad thing.
But overall, episode is a great platform to send subliminal messages, good or bad, because of the way you can literally write in consequences for the wrong choice.
5. Can a story ‘just be a story’
I think you can write a story for the sake of it, but again, the reader will make of it what they will. There’s always going to be someone that won’t think of it as “just a story”
6. Can a reader find a moral, totally different from the authors?
Absolutely