9.9 Hans Robert Jauss

Hans Robert Jauss's reception theory revolutionized literary criticism by emphasizing the reader's role in creating meaning. He argued that a reader's historical and cultural context shapes their understanding of a text, challenging the idea of fixed textual meaning.

Jauss introduced the "horizon of expectations" concept, which refers to the cultural norms and assumptions readers bring to a text. This framework influences interpretation and can shift over time, leading to new understandings of literary works across different eras and cultures.

Reception theory of Jauss

• Jauss's reception theory emphasizes the active role of the reader in interpreting and making meaning from literary texts
• Focuses on how a reader's historical, cultural, and personal context shapes their understanding and reception of a work
• Argues that the meaning of a text is not fixed or inherent, but rather is constructed through the interaction between the text and the reader

Horizon of expectations concept

Horizon of expectations definition

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• The "horizon of expectations" refers to the set of cultural norms, assumptions, and literary conventions that a reader brings to a text
• Includes the reader's prior knowledge, experiences, and expectations about literature and the world
• Serves as a framework through which the reader interprets and makes sense of a literary work

Role of horizon of expectations

• The horizon of expectations influences how a reader approaches, understands, and evaluates a text
• Shapes the reader's interpretation by providing a context and set of expectations for the work
• Can lead to different interpretations and receptions of the same text by readers with different horizons

Shifting horizons of expectations

• Horizons of expectations are not fixed or static, but can change over time and across cultures
• As society, cultural norms, and literary conventions evolve, so too do readers' horizons of expectations
• The reception and interpretation of a work can shift as the horizon of expectations changes (Don Quixote, initially seen as comedic, later viewed as a complex novel)

Jauss vs Iser

Similarities in reception theories

• Both Jauss and Iser emphasize the importance of the reader in the creation of meaning
• Acknowledge that the text and the reader interact to produce interpretation and understanding
• Challenge the idea of a single, fixed meaning inherent in the text itself

Key differences in approaches

• Jauss focuses more on the historical and cultural context of the reader's horizon of expectations
• Iser places greater emphasis on the individual reader's imagination and the "gaps" in the text that the reader fills
• Jauss is more concerned with the collective reception of a work, while Iser focuses on the individual reading experience

Influence on reader-response criticism

Importance of the reader's role

• Jauss's reception theory helped to establish the reader as an active participant in the creation of literary meaning
• Challenged the idea of the passive reader and the text as the sole source of meaning
• Paved the way for the development of reader-response criticism, which further explored the reader's role

Text-reader relationship dynamics

• Reception theory highlights the complex, dynamic relationship between the text and the reader
• The text provides a structure and set of potentials, while the reader actualizes and interprets these potentials
• The meaning of a work emerges from the interaction and negotiation between the text and the reader

Jauss's seven theses

Provocative nature of theses

• Jauss's seven theses, presented in his 1967 lecture, challenged traditional literary theories and methods
• Argued for a new approach to literary history and interpretation that centered on the reader and reception
• Theses were seen as provocative and controversial, sparking debate and discussion in the field

Key arguments presented

• Literary works should be understood in terms of their reception and effect on readers, not just their production
• The aesthetic value of a work lies in its ability to challenge and transform the reader's horizon of expectations
• Literary history should be viewed as a dialogue between works and their readers, not a linear progression
• The social function of literature lies in its ability to shape and change readers' perceptions and expectations

Historical context of Jauss's work

Post-war German literary culture

• Jauss developed his reception theory in the context of post-World War II Germany
• German literary culture was grappling with questions of tradition, innovation, and the role of literature in society
• Jauss's theory offered a new perspective on these issues, emphasizing the reader's role in creating meaning

Responding to Russian Formalism

• Jauss's work can be seen as a response to and critique of Russian Formalism
• Formalists focused on the intrinsic properties of the text and the "literariness" of literature
• Jauss argued that this approach neglected the reader and the historical context of literary works

Legacy and impact of Jauss

Contributions to reception studies

• Jauss's reception theory helped to establish reception studies as a distinct field of inquiry
• Influenced the development of reader-response criticism, as well as other approaches that emphasize the reader's role (feminist, postcolonial, and cultural studies)
• Expanded the understanding of how literary works are received and interpreted across time and cultures

Criticisms and limitations

• Some critics argue that Jauss's theory places too much emphasis on the reader and neglects the text itself
• Questions remain about how to empirically study and verify the claims of reception theory
• The concept of the "horizon of expectations" has been critiqued as too vague or difficult to define and measure