Michael Riffaterre

Michael Riffaterre was a French literary theorist known for his work on how stories and texts communicate meaning. He focused on the idea that reading is an active process where readers interpret signs, symbols, and references within a text to uncover deeper messages. Riffaterre emphasized the importance of previous knowledge and cultural context in understanding literature. His approach blends linguistics, semiotics, and literary analysis, helping us see how texts create meaning through patterns and hints, rather than just explicit statements. His theories have influenced modern literary criticism by emphasizing the interpretive and constructed nature of reading.