Writer's Fallout Shelter

I took a Lit class in college and the professor would not allow the TA's to give good marks unless the student came up with her exact interpretation. There was no individual thoughts allowd in her class. I thought that was one of the worst things in the world.

I agree that this is bad. The important thing is that you are able to find supporting evidence for your interpretation and arguments.

I think theme is something that the reader takes away with them despite what the authors intention was.

I both agree and disagree with this. I think there can be multiple meanings or multiple levels to any piece of literature and I think the writer can sometimes put things in they didn't realize they intended to, but there is also an element of control involved. The author can think these things through, too, and guide the reader along.

I admit, it's a bit of a conundrum.

I know sometimes I try to put connections in my work and sometimes they work and sometimes they don't and sometimes when I think they don't and I rewrite they become more subtle and work better. At the same time, some of my writing partners will see symbolism in my work that I didn't put there intentionally, but when I look at it more analytically, I have to agree that the symbols or themes they've identified do exist. (Hmm.... is everyone's mind thoroughly twisted by this paragraph now?)

I mentioned symbolism and symbols. How does everyone think they relate to theme? Are they part of a theme or separate things? Or are they both?