M-24. Reader Response Theory; Wimsatt and Beardsley, Fallacies

Summary

This video delves into reader response theory, exploring its evolution in the 1960s and 1970s, contrasting it with new criticism and formalism. Key theorists like Norman Holland, Stanley Fish, and Wolfgang Iser are discussed, along with various categories such as transactional, affective, and psychological reader response theories. The video also critiques the ideas of Wimsatt and Beardsley, particularly their essays on intentional and affective fallacies, which reject the significance of author intentions and emotional responses in literary analysis. The video emphasizes the complex nature of text interpretation and the role of the reader's subjectivity in meaning-making.

Takeaways

• 😀 Reader Response Theory emerged in the 1960s and 1970s as a critique of New Criticism and Formalism, with major proponents like Norman Holland, Stanley Fish, Wolfgang Iser, Hans Robert Joss, and Roland Barthes.
• 😀 This theory emphasizes subjectivity, suggesting that the meaning of a text is determined by the reader's personal experience and interpretation.
• 😀 There are five key categories of Reader Response Theory: 1) Transactional Reader Response Theory, 2) Affective Stylistics, 3) Subjective Reader Response Theory, 4) Psychological Reader Response Theory, and 5) Social Reader Response Theory.
• 😀 Transactional Reader Response Theory, proposed by Louis Rosenblatt and Wolfgang Iser, highlights the interaction between the reader and the text, distinguishing between aesthetic and efferent readings.
• 😀 Affective Stylistics, proposed by Stanley Fish, argues that the meaning of a text is not intrinsic but arises from how the text affects the reader emotionally during the reading process.
• 😀 Subjective Reader Response Theory, proposed by David Bleicher, focuses on the reader's emotional and psychological responses, suggesting that texts are shaped by readers' interpretations.
• 😀 Psychological Reader Response Theory, advocated by Norman Holland, connects a reader's psychological state and motivations with their interpretation of a text, introducing concepts like identity theme and interpretation stages.
• 😀 Social Reader Response Theory, also developed by Stanley Fish, examines how a reader's responses are influenced by interpretive communities—groups of readers who share common interpretive strategies.
• 😀 Wimsatt and Beardsley's theory, presented through 'The Intentional Fallacy' and 'The Affective Fallacy', critiques subjective approaches like authorial intent and emotional responses, promoting an objective understanding of texts.
• 😀 Wimsatt and Beardsley argue that the meaning of a poem belongs to the public, not to the poet or critic, and that literary criticism should focus on the objective content of a text rather than personal or emotional responses.

Q & A

What is the primary focus of Reader Response Theory as discussed in the video?

The primary focus of Reader Response Theory is on subjectivity, emphasizing how the reader's own experiences, emotions, and personal interpretations contribute to the meaning of a text.

Who are some of the key proponents of Reader Response Theory mentioned in the transcript?

Some of the key proponents of Reader Response Theory include Norman Holland, Stanley Fish, Wolfgang Iser, Hans Robert Jauss, David Bleicher, and Roland Barthes.

What are the five categories of Reader Response Theory outlined in the video?

The five categories of Reader Response Theory are: 1) Transactional Reader Response Theory, 2) Affective Stylistics, 3) Subjective Reader Response Theory, 4) Psychological Reader Response Theory, and 5) Social Reader Response Theory.

What does Transactional Reader Response Theory emphasize, and who are its main proponents?

Transactional Reader Response Theory emphasizes the interaction between the text and the reader. Its main proponents are Louis Rosenblatt and Wolfgang Iser, who discuss concepts like aesthetic vs. efferent reading and the roles of the implied vs. actual reader.

According to Stanley Fish, what is the core idea of Affective Stylistics?

Affective Stylistics, as introduced by Stanley Fish, argues that the meaning of a text is not inherent within the text itself but is created in the reader’s response. The emotional and psychological impact of the text on the reader is crucial in determining its meaning.

What distinguishes Subjective Reader Response Theory from other types of Reader Response Theory?

Subjective Reader Response Theory, established by David Bleicher, focuses on the reader's written responses and interpretations, suggesting that the text's meaning is shaped by individual experiences and perceptions.

What is the concept of 'identity theme' in Psychological Reader Response Theory?

In Psychological Reader Response Theory, proposed by Norman Holland, the 'identity theme' refers to the way a reader's psychological motives and conflicts influence their interpretation of a text. The theory includes stages of interpretation such as defense, fantasy, and transformative stages.

How does Social Reader Response Theory differ from other categories?

Social Reader Response Theory, developed in Stanley Fish's later works, emphasizes the role of communities in interpretation. It introduces the concept of 'interpretive communities,' where individuals share common strategies for interpreting texts based on cultural and social contexts.

What is the main critique of Wimsatt and Beardsley’s essay 'The Intentional Fallacy'?

In 'The Intentional Fallacy,' Wimsatt and Beardsley argue that a text should not be interpreted based on the author's intentions. They contend that the meaning of a work is independent of the author's personal intentions and should be understood through the text itself.

What is the significance of 'Affective Fallacy' as discussed in the video?

The Affective Fallacy, according to Wimsatt and Beardsley, is the error of interpreting a text based on its emotional impact on the reader. They argue that such subjective responses are misleading and should not be used to determine the objective meaning of a text.