What is ostensible meaning?

The ostensible meaning of a text is the direct and straightforward interpretation of its surface-level content. It is what the words of the text appear to mean at face value, without any deeper analysis or interpretation. The ostensible meaning is often the simplest and most straightforward understanding of the text, and it is typically the first meaning that readers and listeners will derive from the text. However, the ostensible meaning may not always be the intended meaning of the author or speaker, and deeper analysis and interpretation may be necessary to uncover the underlying message or themes of the text.