Which critical approach is defined by the view that a literary work is not a static object on a page, but an active interaction between the text and the reader’s mind ?
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Answer: B. Reader Response Approach
Explanation
Reader-response criticism prioritizes the active role of the audience in creating meaning. Literary texts remain incomplete until an individual reader interprets their symbols. This approach values subjective emotional and intellectual reactions over static authorial intent. Mid-twentieth-century criticism shifted focus away from purely formalist text analysis. Scholars like Stanley Fish argued that interpretive communities shape reading practices. Phenomenology heavily influenced the development of reader-oriented literary theories.
Every reader brings unique personal experiences that alter how a story is understood. Book clubs and classrooms demonstrate how diverse interpretations enrich discussions. Modern media interaction relies heavily on audience participation and subjective engagement. Historical approaches focus on the biographical and cultural background of authors. Formalism examines internal literary structures without considering external reader reactions. Mimetic criticism evaluates how accurately art imitates external physical reality.
- Subject
- English
- Category
- English Literature
- Topic
- —
- Difficulty
- medium
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