In a culture whose already classical dilemma is the hypertrophy of the intellect at the expense of energy and sensual capability, interpretation is the revenge of the intellect upon art.
-- Susan Sontag (Against Interpretation paragraph 15)

Importance: In this quote, Sontag outlines her basic criticism of the hegemony of hermeneutics in art and literature. This guiding premise governs the entirety of her thought facilitates the remainder of her reflections throughout the book.

In place of a hermeneutics we need an erotics of art.
-- Susan Sontag (Against Interpretation paragraph 43)

Importance: Here, in the final sentence of this essay, Sontag offers her solution to the problem of hermeneutics and interpretation, i.e., an erotics of art more focused less on content and explanation and more on form, style, and sensibility. This is a solution that she applies to various objects of analysis she examines throughout the book.

A work of art encountered as a work of art is an experience, not a statement or an...
-- Susan Sontag (On Style paragraph 14)