His main point is that it’s an exercise in futility to apply critical theory to an incomplete work
Then he is simply incorrect. It’s not just what you do, it’s the way that you do it, at all steps along the way. Having an end in mind doesn’t mean you can’t be called out on the means.
Are you saying, in essence, that it doesn’t matter whether this turns out not to be fridging in the end, because Eliezer could have chosen not to use a literary device that looked like fridging, and yet he did?
Then he is simply incorrect. It’s not just what you do, it’s the way that you do it, at all steps along the way. Having an end in mind doesn’t mean you can’t be called out on the means.
Are you saying, in essence, that it doesn’t matter whether this turns out not to be fridging in the end, because Eliezer could have chosen not to use a literary device that looked like fridging, and yet he did?
It is a fridging. It’s using fridging as a means to an end.
Are you using “fridging” as interchangeable with “female character’s death”? If not, how are you using it?