The Reader-Response Criticism

Reader-Response Criticism is a way of analyzing literature that focuses on how individual readers interpret a text. Instead of only examining the author's intent or the text's structure, it emphasizes the personal experience and emotional reactions of the reader. Each person’s background, feelings, and imagination shape how they understand and make meaning of a story or poem. This approach recognizes that different readers may have unique and valid interpretations, making the reading experience active and interactive rather than passive. It's about valuing the reader’s engagement as an essential part of the literary meaning-making process.