In A.S. Byatt's "Possession," the characters explore the tension between meaning and narrative. Christabel asserts that reason must take a backseat, suggesting that the exploration of stories should precede the search for deeper meanings. This indicates a belief that overanalyzing can undermine the richness of a narrative.

The discussion reveals that attempting to distill complex ideas, such as femininity and masculinity, into simplistic interpretations fails to capture their true essence. Rather than seeking to allegorize characters like Merlin into archetypes, it is important to appreciate them in their entirety, as each narrative element contributes significantly to the overall experience.