You really don't have to! I'm not that invested in this discussion--I just provided the thesis link because you wanted it.
Oh good. I didn't want to be totally dismissive of something you found useful, but I'm really not interested in reading all of it.

I'm guessing we take a different approach to reading fiction. I usually don't care about authorial background or possible motivations in writing. Even in reading something written with a more purposeful agenda, I'm generally more concerned about being entertained. I even liked Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy in spite of the not very hidden anti-religion message. They were interesting stories. (Okay, the ending of the third book made me want to throw it against the wall, but until then I was enjoying it.)

The exception to this would be if I'm unsure about something. Like with Wuthering Heights--was it meant as a romantic tragedy or a cautionary tale? Either way, I think Cathy and Heathcliff deserved each other, but only to avoid torturing everyone else who ended up falling in love with one of them. *laughs*