Final answer:
The author questions a phrase or implies its opposite meaning by challenging conventional expectations and presenting alternative interpretations.
Step-by-step explanation:
The text provided shows evidence of the author questioning a phrase or implying its opposite meaning. The passage states that when reading literature, our focus should be on what the words say, not on what the author intended. This suggests that the author might be challenging conventional expectations and presenting alternative interpretations. Furthermore, the example of the poet being surprised by the themes in his own poems reinforces the idea that words can convey meanings that the author did not intend.