Literal interpretation refers to understanding words and phrases in their most basic, straightforward meaning, without considering any underlying symbolism or metaphor. This approach is often used in reading texts, such as legal documents or religious scriptures, where clarity and precision are essential. In literature, a literal interpretation focuses on the explicit content of a story, ignoring any deeper themes or messages. For example, when reading a poem, a literal interpretation would analyze the words as they are written, rather than exploring the emotions or ideas they might represent.