The Reading Process: A Phenomenological Approach by Wolfgang Iser

"The Reading Process: A Phenomenological Approach" by Wolfgang Iser offers profound insights into the dynamic interaction between readers and texts. This theory, developed by the German literary scholar in 1967, explores how readers construct meaning during the reading process. Evolution of the Theory: Iser's theory challenges the traditional view of reading as a passive activity. Meaning, according to Iser, is not inherent in the text but emerges in the space between the text and the reader. Two Poles of a Literary Work 1. Artistic Pole Represents the tangible, written text crafted by the author. The concrete manifestation of the author's creative endeavor. Example: The actual words and sentences on the pages of a novel or poem. 2. Aesthetic Pole Embodies the realization accomplished by the reader in response to the text. The reader's engagement, interpretation, and imagination bring the literary work to life. Example: How different readers interpret and visualize character…