Preferred - This is the way that the director of the film originally intended for the film to be interpreted like.
Negotiated - This is like the preferred reading, but a little bit different. You usually agree with what the
preferred reading mostly but disagree about some small things.
Opposite - This is when you think the complete opposite of the preferred reading.
Aberrant - When you completely get the reading wrong.
I will be giving an example of each of these readings from the ending of the 1991 film, Thelma and Louise.
Preferred - Thelma and Louise wanted freedom and so instead of turning back to the police and turning themselves in, causing them to be locked away for a long time, they made the choice to drive off the edge, killing themselves, and giving them the freedom they wanted.
Negotiated - I understand why they did it, but instead of driving off the cliff, Thelma and Louise could have talked to the police and tried to negotiate a way out of the situation.
Opposite - They killed themselves and became defeated, they haven't gained any freedom.
Aberrant - Thelma and Louise thought they could survive driving off the cliff and carry on running away from the police.
