Why did the author decide to create this work of art? What is the message they are trying to send? What are their beliefs? These are questions a reader must ask about the author in order to apply expressive theory to everything they read. This theory, born in the Romantic era, answers the question of the definition of art as a singular expression of the artist. Some argue that it is the intention the author is trying to make that the reader should seek to understand. Others say that it is the emotions of the author that constitute the effective content of the work. Emphasizing that it is the identity of the author is another way some think a work is expressed. Overall, it depends on the reader and what they think is most important in answering the question of determining the meaning of art using expressive meaning.