Final answer:
The term "total meaning" is best described as the complete and unfiltered message conveyed by a text, achieved through comprehensive critical reading and interpretation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term "total meaning" is best defined as a message that is not partial, misinterpreted, or filtered; the entire message. This encompasses the complete understanding of a text, inclusive of all nuances and contexts. When analyzing and interpreting literature, or any written content, critical reading plays a crucial role. It involves examining the parts of a text as they relate to the whole, supporting ideas with evidence, and drawing conclusions based on analysis. In literary analysis, all aspects of a topic are examined with the goal of reaching a comprehensive judgment.
The "total meaning" of a text or a work of literature is achieved by observing it in all facets, without omitting any part of the message. It is crucial to gather enough evidence and evaluate it carefully so that the intended message is fully understood and communicated, which is also essential when providing a review or evaluation that leads to a clear judgment. Hence, a "total meaning" is reflective of reality, where reality is understood as the sum total of all that is real.