The deeper meaning and the enjoyment: Why do you read?

[yansusu]

This question may sound strange so please allow me to give some background info and explain what exactly I mean. There's a TL;DR at the bottom for the fast ones among you.

The other day, I got a review for one of my short stories which, in a nutshell, was ranting about how the story didn't have a deeper meaning which a short story should. Then, a few days later, another reader mentioned in a comment to another story how they weren't sure they got the deeper meaning.

Now, I personally love writing short stories that are glimpses into somebody's life. They revolve around a theme which could be anything, really. It's often stages of relationships or types of relationships but I've also written stuff about food, for example, and how it can bring people together. Maybe this is a deeper meaning already? I'm not sure. The stories are also open-ended and never state the theme outright. E.g., a story revolving around the effects of an abusive relationship will never directly mention abuse and only show the effects.
Normally, this theme is the inspiration behind the story and what I will refer to when readers directly ask about the deeper meaning behind the story.

I still can't help but feel a little odd because I have, personally, never once went to look for a 'deeper meaning' when reading a story. I choose them based on whether the synopsis sounds interesting and then I'll just read from start to finish. My thought process while reading was always "Oh, wow, the poor MC!", "Oh, no, shit! What is going to happen to them?!" or "Dang it! Confess already!" - You get the gist.
I've never once gone out of my way and tried to interpret what I read in terms of what it might mean for our modern society or anything like that. I might have a discussion about it afterward but never in terms of the story.
Like, going back to the previous example: If I read a story about an abusive relationship, I might tell somebody about the story and since we're on the subject a discussion might come up but it wouldn't involve the story any longer. Much like how I'd have a discussion about hair coloration if the protagonist's colorful hair was mentioned surprisingly often. (So just stuff about the story I noticed in general. If the other person read the story as well, I'd be more likely to discuss actual plot points of the story like "And when the MC did X, I was really surprised because ...")

Now, when I talked about this with somebody today, they spend quite a bit of time trying to convince me that I was, in fact, searching for a deeper meaning because that's what everybody does.
This has me confused. Maybe I'm just not getting what this 'deeper meaning' is or what reading for the deeper meaning is but I feel like I'm not doing it. Because if I don't talk with anybody about the story, I wouldn't think about it twice and just go do something else. For me, it's only ever about the actual story and how much I enjoy it. (Also, if I had to describe a story to somebody, I'd be much more likely to say "Oh, this is the story about a person that went to look for X", than to say "This is a story about theme X".)

So, this has me curious: What about you, guys? For what reason do you read? What do you think this mysterious 'deeper meaning' of a story is? Do you have to want to find it in a story? Does every story need it?
Bonus question for creators: Do you try to put in a 'deeper meaning' when creating your stories?

TL;DR: I wanna know whether people read just for enjoyment's sake, look for a deeper meaning, or maybe do both when reading. So, why do you, personally, read?

[edicoesgorilase]

Well... to be honest I don't overthink nothing. I don't look for second meanings or stuff like that. I read to be distracted and emerged in a world/story that can grab me.
And deeper meanings are strange... for example. When I read watchmen in my 14's I was like, ok Cool. When i re-read 15 years later the story was more powerful to me.
Deeper meanings I think they come also with age and what stage you are in your life.

SWEET WIND

[doriantorres112]

Honestly, there are times where I enjoy a book because I seek a meaning I have been wanting to understand, like death for an example. I always have issues with death, so sometimes I bought books with that topic that deals with either on the perspective of the dying, the grief a loved one has on the deceased, or etc. Despite what the author is telling me face value, I still have my own interpretations, the meaning I can come up that differs from the author, and the likes.

But there are also times where I wanted to shut my brain and enjoy a story where meanings don't really matter. Something I can enjoy no matter how ridiculous or mundane it is and doesn't necessarily need a philosophical essay or thesis.

So I can say both. I want to read books or stories that either have meaning or a simple enjoyment. If it has both, then it is a bonus but I'm fine if one isn't present with the other.

And as a creator, it depends but in the end, I write a story because it is something I like to write about. Even if it doesn't have a deeper meaning and it is just a simple read, or vice versa. Writing doesn't have to be always serious, and you shouldn't force yourself if you don't feel like it - that's what I have realized in my years as an amateur writer.

[grotesqueice]

My answer would probably not help anyone but I read because I want to know the story. I want to know what would happen or how the story would go and how it would end.

I don't think I'm the type of reader who has set preference because of this, as long as my curiosity is piqued I would probably keep on reading until the end.

Whatever the meaning is, I think would be determined by the writer not me. I'm not that imaginative I guess? I mean if it's meant to be a story that needs that much mental energy why not. But if it's a fictional story or a story meant for enjoyment then why should I tire myself out looking for double meanings, logical explanation and what not - surely, there's a lot of books and novels out there that gives you just that.

But maybe that's just me. I think some do need deeper meanings and stuff, and some just don't.

[DukeOfOool]

I read for enjoyment and to learn. Like edicoesgorilase said, deeper meaning come and go, as they are simply said meaning and interpretation of a story that aren't to obvious. Those themes mostly originate from our own world view and experiences while reading or writing a story. I think they're mostly an WOW moment when you find some sumary or word to describe the entire story and feel like you got smarter. As such they're not obligatory, but nice to have.

Like let's say you read a short story about a man drinking ale. That's all no, interesting conclusion, just drinking ale. Then you may feel like you missed something or even been robbed of your time. Because there's no point to the story. Although pointlessness may be the point.

Adding a deeper meaning may make the story more interesting. But I think deeper meaning is rather generated through good writing, conciously or uncounsiously. Deeper meaning is still not obligatory. Your story can be good without deeper meaning. So I think somebody saying your story lacks a deeper meaning it could mean multiple things:
The story may have been a little stale and the person believes a deeper meaning would spice things up.
The person is searching for deeper meaning themself, projecting their need onto others.
The person is thinking to deep and complex trying to wrench some incredible conspiracy out of everything.

Besides the quality of your writting, which I cannot judge, It's mostly a personal preference of the reader.

All in all some deeper meaning/metanarative only visible to the reader with extra information or incredible brainpower is the top of extraness in writing and something you don't need to worry about. Like building a house the foundation is the most imortant thing. Adding hidden closets is the last thing to worry about.

[miramiee]

In my fiction writing class, my teacher talked about epiphanies in stories (aka the actual point of reading). I think this relates to what you're saying about deeper meanings. A story's epiphany is a way of answering, "Why should I read this when I could very well go help myself to a steaming plate of pancakes?" or "What point is this writer even trying to make in the hundred or so pages I'm going to read?"

It'd think of it as the story's lingering flavor. When you eat a meal, you're expecting it to taste great, else you wouldn't eat it in the first place, right? The whole dish--presentation, initial flavor, texture, type of cuisine--that's the story you can see and digest. The "who, what, when, where." But the aftertaste in your mouth that makes you go schmack schmack sometime in the future after that meal is gone? Well, that's what the deeper meaning is. That's the epiphany.

Epiphany doesn't have to be mind breaking or awe inspiring. Ex) a comedy's "deeper meaning" in general is that it surprised you, in a good way. Or it's relatable and speaks to you. SpongeBob's epiphanies are contained within each episode, since the nature of the series is sorta discontinuous. More memorable episodes usually have better epiphanies tho. Like when Gary ran away that one time and SpongeBob had a whole ordeal about it--SpongeBob realized himself that he really cared about Gary by the end of the episode. He's remorseful that he wasn't a better owner. This change in character is what makes that episode linger in people's memories (or at least in mine). Side note about comedies, tho...Their "deeper meanings" are usually their punchlines. It answers p much the same thing.

But I think deeper meaning is rather generated through good writing, conciously or uncounsiously.

Basically this.

In that case I think most (if not every) story needs a good "deeper meaning..." or else I'd probably rather go and make myself that steaming plate of pancakes.

[yansusu]

Can I just hop in at this moment to say that your answers are super interesting to read and thank you for taking the time to type all of that out? I don't wanna respond directly yet since I've seen some discussions die down because of that but I'll swoop in later on to do that

[rajillustration]

I think our tendency to look for meaning is also because that's the only way we teach literature in schools. Otherwise, how do you make a lesson plan? How do you convince students that some stories are better than others? But, although I'm hardwired to look for meaning because of years of writing papers, I've learned to recognize how unimportant a "deeper meaning" may be. You have tons of story structures that don't have deeper meanings, that aren't supposed to be some modern scripture. Biographies, histories, a whole bunch of slice of life, comedy pieces, DnD campaigns--I could go on and on--there's a lot of stories that are very fun or important to us as individuals, but may not have a deeper meaning at all.

[DokiDokiTsuna]

Now, when I talked about this with somebody today, they spend quite a bit of time trying to convince me that I was, in fact, searching for a deeper meaning because that's what everybody does.

...Yeah, no. =/ I don't see why anyone would even try to make that argument...there are people who don't even try to look for a deeper meaning in their own lives, let alone a deeper meaning in a random book.

Personally, I read a story for the experience. The author clearly has something to say, and if it's something I wouldn't mind having in my head I'll stay to hear it.
That's part of the reason I'm so picky with media: it all stays in my head. Basically forever, at least in some form. So if that's not a commitment I'm willing to make with a story, I tend to either drop it quickly or avoid it altogether.

But that makes the stories I do read all the more immersive and memorable. I don't feel a need to search for a deeper meaning to relate a story to my life, because my experience of each story is already pretty vivid.

...And as an author; I don't bother trying to insert a deeper meaning. =/ I find the endeavor pretty pointless, unless you're just looking forward to explaining it to some interviewer someday. In the end, people will see whatever they want to see in your writing. Even I will see different things depending on when I look back on it; few stories have just one singular, objective message.

[Ardelvion]

So, why do you, personally, read?

I just wanna know what would happen next in the story and why certain characters act the way they do.

What do you think this mysterious 'deeper meaning' of a story is? Do you have to want to find it in a story? Does every story need it?

'Deeper meaning' is, at least from my view, a symbolism that would help move the story forward and it depends how well it would be executed by the creator. But I don't wanna overwhelm myself with too much analyzing, so I just read readers' comments and think to myself, "Oh, so that's why."

Do you try to put in a 'deeper meaning' when creating your stories?

I create webcomic strips with different stories, so no, I don't try to put in deeper meanings. But if I'm ready to make a webcomic that has one story, I might.

[Seaby]

I read for the immersion. That's generally why I rate my enjoyment of books on whether I would read them again, because that shows whether or not the story drew me in. I don't think about nor seek the underlying message but I notice when it's present, in which case I can appreciate the depth it provides to the overall narrative. If it's been notably expertly intertwined within the story, it becomes an amazing second read, especially as all the details seem to hold more weight. But it doesn't matter how deep the subtext is within a novel, if it's not entertaining then it's not worth the time.

However, each work attempts to make a statement. It might not be as prominent and philosophical as some novels provide, but whether the author means to or not there will be a level of symbolism and commentary on relevant themes. That's because it's difficult to tell a story that says nothing about anything.

I believe the reason why the commenter asked about a deeper meaning is because short stories - often but not always - focus on a theme or event that contains a thoughtful or cautionary moral. Straight from the Wikipedia page, we can see stated;

A short story is a piece of prose fiction that typically can be read in one sitting and focuses on a self-contained incident or series of linked incidents, with the intent of evoking a "single effect" or mood.

A short story that contains no clear theme, no deeper message, can be mistaken for an excerpt for a longer work that appears to be missing context. I can't say whether I believe that the commenter was being particularly nitpick-y over the presence of a deeper meaning within your work, but I did want to express what I thought could be a reason for it. Obviously, I do not believe that the presence of a deeper meaning makes the story, the subject matter should be enough to determine its quality. Themes are so vague anyway that for a reader to propose that their presence is necessary means that they are reading far too into it.

[GesuGesu]

I read for enjoyment and escapism. If the story ends up delivering some deep message, it's just an added plus, but isn't necessary.

[gmaximin]

There's two main reasons for me to read:
1. Because I need to (for work or research) that's around 80%
2. Because I want to even though I don't need to (something attracted me to the story) that's around 20%
In the first case, I know what I'm looking for (information, technique, etc.) and as soon as I find it, I drop the book. It's very very rare that I finish the book, since I keep a clinical approach and any hints at deeper meaning would actually distract me more than anything else.
In the second case, I'd be attracted to a story by some specific items (theme, style, mood for example). If it's entertaining enough or to my taste, I'll read it to the end. I don't need deeper meaning to actually enjoy it, however, if there's a deeper meaning that resonate in me, it will provide a reason for me to actually enjoy the work even more. This will make me want to read it again and again and dig into the author's other works.
So to me a deeper meaning is what separate enjoyable stories and works I can't live without. As creator I'm aiming at that, but it is very hard to deliver. (I once called that concept "reasonance" (the resonance of reason) in one of my previous comics about advertising - https://tapas.io/episode/1727435 )