Thursday, May 17, 2012

"Meaning of Text" Philosophy

Where does the meaning of a text exist?

Classical: everything a reader needs to know about a text is contained within. Ideas are author-driven

Modern: Ideas exist in the text AND in the CONtext of the reader (allows for cultural values, expectations, etc)

"Horizon of Expectations" -- Readers own expectations in context of work's context (time period, structure, etc)

i.e. Huckleberry Finn will mean something different to you in 20 years than it does today, because you will have more life experiences, you will be reading for pleasure, your sensibilities will be altered, I'll be out of the picture

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