Answer to Question #216624 in English for Ramorwane Sebapu

Question

The reader-response theory gives authority to the reader. Briefly explain the views of this theory and evaluate its implications on the reader

Answer 1

The reader response theory suggests that the role of the reader is essential to the meaning of a text, for only in the reading experience does the literary work come alive. The theory believes that the role of the reader cannot be omitted from our understanding of literature. Its other belief is that readers do not passively consume the meaning presented to them by an objective literary text, rather they actively make the meaning they find in literature.

The reader- response theory is heavily reader- oriented. Readers use their prior knowledge and experiences to give meaning to a text. The theory embraces differences among readers and acknowledges that people view pieces of literature in different manners. It also teaches the students to critically think about a text by requiring them to look past the words on a page and search for deeper meanings. It also allows the readers to bring personality traits, memories of the past and present experiences to the text.