If On a Winter's Night a Traveler

What is the function of a writer? If on a Winter's Night a Traveler, goes through many loops in turn to go full meta on the art of of writing. The novel is about writing a novel. Or Not. There are various story bits that go off into strange realms. 

A professor hears the neighbor's phone ring. He is troubled that it may be for him. After he can't endure it anymore, he answers. The caller says that his wife is bound in a building that will be destroyed in 30 minutes. Now he is struggling with what to do. He eventually goes there after realizing it is a girl that he knows. He rescues her only to be yelled at.

A novel primarily ruminates on the life of the writer. How does one write? Do they own what they right. What about those that do unauthorized translations or new works in the style of an other? This is almost an essay, but writing as fiction allows for greater exploration.