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Wolfgang Iser

The Act of Reading: A Theory of Aesthetic Response

"The Act of Reading: A Theory of Aesthetic Response" by Wolfgang Iser is a seminal work in the field of literary theory that explores the role of the reader in the creation of meaning in a text. Published in 1978, the book is a culmination of Iser's groundbreaking theory of reception aesthetics, which emphasizes the reader's active participation in the construction of the literary work. Iser argues that the literary text is an "empty structure" that is only fully realized in the act of reading. The reader, through a process of "filling in" the gaps and indeterminacies of the text, creates a unique aesthetic response that is both subjective and culturally determined. This theory challenges traditional notions of authorial intent and the stability of the text, instead emphasizing the fluid and dynamic nature of the reading process. The book is divided into two parts. The first part, "The Text and Its Construction," examines the ways in which the text is structured to create gaps and indeterminacies that invite reader participation. Iser discusses the role of literary devices such as metaphor, perspective, and narrative structure in creating these gaps, and argues that it is the reader's task to fill them in through a process of "concretization." The second part, "The Reading Process: A Response to the Text," focuses on the reader's role in the construction of meaning. Iser discusses the various strategies that readers use to make sense of the text, including the use of prior knowledge, cultural assumptions, and personal experiences. He also explores the ways in which the reading process is shaped by historical and cultural factors, and the implications of this for our understanding of literature and aesthetics. Overall, "The Act of Reading" is a thought-provoking and influential work that challenges readers to rethink their assumptions about the nature of literature and the reading process. Iser's theory of reception aesthetics has had a profound impact on the field of literary theory, and the book remains a vital resource for scholars and students of literature today...