Reader Response Theory

Reader Response Critic, Stanley Fish does an experiment based of the social-reader response theory in which he proves it true. The poem was given to two seperate classes but based off of what each class had been learning (each course is learning two completely different things) each class interpreted a random set of names completely differently. This proved his idea that we read and interpret literature based off our own life experiences and the intellectual community around. This experience turned out to be a Linguistic perspective vs Christian. In addition to, theorist, Louise Rosenblatt formulated many of the premises for the transactional reader response theory. Reader response criticism is a broad interesting domain of literary studies which helps us learn as individuals about our own reading processes and how they relate to, among other things, specific elements in the texts we read, our life experiences. Essentially,  there are different theories which help inform us about our own personal interpretation of a text which is influenced by variables such as life experiences, community around us and our own personal interests. 

 By using the reader response theory to analyze a piece of literature one can see that no matter the perspective a reader views the text from, there is always the same underlying truth despite your background, experience, or level of intellect, all of that has to be taken into play when viewing a piece of literature. The perspective doesn’t matter. Like the house example. The text ask the reader to read a passage regarding a house from the perspective of a home buyer and the perspective of a house robber. No matter my perspective, my own personal “flavor” will be added onto that perspective based on my life experiences etc. Furthermore, reader response theory is a domain of overall literary studies in which one can learn about their own reading and how a text can relate to their overall life experiences. Essentially a a text can be interpreted one way based on what the reader may be specifically looking for as well as their own personal connection with the text that may intern lead to either biases or frustration/insecurity. Reader-response is essentially the role of the reader which cannot be omitted from our understanding of literature. Additionally,  reader’s do not passively consume the meaning they find in literature One example of this would be if an individual has insecurities regarding their weight. If a text discusses a problem in which the main character is dealing with issues regarding their weight the reader could easily become defensive towards the nature of the text and may choose to stop reading. In opposition, the reader may also view the text in a positive light in which they root for the character and hope for the best. In order to fully understand reader response theory I believe the psychoanalytic must be incorporated in as well.