9.9 Hans Robert Jauss
4 min read•august 20, 2024
Hans Robert Jauss's revolutionized literary criticism by emphasizing the reader's role in creating meaning. He argued that a reader's historical and shapes their understanding of a text, challenging the idea of fixed textual meaning.
Jauss introduced the "" 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
Top images from around the web for Horizon of expectations definition
Trait Theorists | Introduction to Psychology – Brown-Weinstock View original
Is this image relevant?
The Eight Cultural Forces - The lens & the lever — The Learner's Way View original
Is this image relevant?
Überblick View original
Is this image relevant?
Trait Theorists | Introduction to Psychology – Brown-Weinstock View original
Is this image relevant?
The Eight Cultural Forces - The lens & the lever — The Learner's Way View original
Is this image relevant?
1 of 3
Top images from around the web for Horizon of expectations definition
Trait Theorists | Introduction to Psychology – Brown-Weinstock View original
Is this image relevant?
The Eight Cultural Forces - The lens & the lever — The Learner's Way View original
Is this image relevant?
Überblick View original
Is this image relevant?
Trait Theorists | Introduction to Psychology – Brown-Weinstock View original
Is this image relevant?
The Eight Cultural Forces - The lens & the lever — The Learner's Way View original
Is this image relevant?
1 of 3
- 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
Key Terms to Review (12)
Active reader: An active reader is someone who engages deeply with a text, interacting with its ideas, themes, and language, rather than passively consuming it. This process involves questioning the content, making connections to other texts or personal experiences, and considering the implications of the ideas presented. Active readers see reading as a dynamic exchange between themselves and the text, which is crucial for understanding and interpretation.
Aesthetic experience: Aesthetic experience refers to the profound engagement and emotional response that individuals have when interacting with art or literature, characterized by a sense of beauty, pleasure, or heightened awareness. This experience is shaped by the viewer's or reader's previous knowledge and expectations, influencing how they interpret and appreciate a work.
Cultural context: Cultural context refers to the social, historical, and cultural environment in which a text is created and received. It shapes the meanings that individuals ascribe to literary works and influences how audiences interpret them based on their own experiences and backgrounds.
Historical Poetics: Historical poetics is a critical framework that examines how literary texts are influenced by the historical context in which they are created and received. This approach emphasizes the dynamic relationship between literature and its socio-political circumstances, exploring how historical events, cultural movements, and prevailing ideologies shape literary forms and meanings over time.
Horizon of expectations: The horizon of expectations refers to the set of cultural and historical contexts that shape a reader's understanding and interpretation of a text. It encompasses the assumptions, norms, and conventions that a reader brings to their reading experience, influenced by their time period, background, and previous literary encounters. This concept highlights how different readers might perceive the same text in varying ways based on their unique perspectives.
Literary historicism: Literary historicism is an approach to literary analysis that emphasizes the historical context in which a text was produced and the impact of historical events on its meaning and interpretation. This perspective allows readers to understand how literature reflects and responds to the social, political, and cultural conditions of its time, considering both the author's background and the audience's perceptions.
Literary history as a challenge to literary theory: Literary history as a challenge to literary theory refers to the examination of how the historical context of literary works influences their interpretation and meaning, often raising questions about the validity of theoretical frameworks that may overlook these contexts. This concept highlights the tension between understanding literature through theoretical lenses and recognizing the importance of historical moments, cultural shifts, and the evolution of literary genres over time. The interplay between literary history and theory creates a dynamic landscape for analyzing texts, pushing scholars to consider how historical narratives shape our understanding of literature.
Reception aesthetics: Reception aesthetics is a literary theory that focuses on how readers interpret and respond to texts, emphasizing the active role of the audience in creating meaning. This approach highlights that a text's significance is not fixed by the author but rather shaped through the interaction between the text and its readers, which can vary over time and across different contexts.
Reception theory: Reception theory is a literary theory that focuses on the reader's role in interpreting a text, emphasizing how meaning is constructed through the interaction between the text and its audience. This approach highlights that a text does not have a fixed meaning but rather that its significance evolves based on the cultural, historical, and individual contexts of the readers, making the act of reading an active and dynamic process.
Textual reception: Textual reception refers to the process by which readers and audiences interpret, understand, and respond to a text. It encompasses how individual and collective readings shape the meaning of a text over time, influenced by historical, cultural, and social contexts. This term highlights the dynamic relationship between a text and its audience, illustrating that meaning is not fixed but can evolve based on various factors.
Theory of effects: The theory of effects is a concept in literary theory that focuses on how literature influences readers and shapes their responses. This theory emphasizes the active role of the audience in interpreting texts and posits that a reader's personal experiences, cultural context, and emotions significantly impact their understanding of a work. By exploring the relationship between text and reader, the theory of effects highlights the dynamic nature of meaning-making in literature.
Toward an Aesthetic of Reception: Toward an aesthetic of reception refers to a critical approach that emphasizes the role of the reader or audience in interpreting and giving meaning to a text. This perspective shifts the focus from the author's intentions and the intrinsic qualities of the text itself, highlighting how individual experiences, cultural contexts, and historical moments shape interpretation and engagement with literary works.