Wolfgang Iser

Wolfgang Iser was a German literary theorist known for his work on how readers engage with texts. He believed that a story is not fully complete until it is read, as readers actively fill in gaps and interpret meaning based on their own experiences. Iser's concept of the "implied reader" suggests that texts are designed to guide but also depend on the reader’s imagination to bring stories to life. His ideas highlight the dynamic relationship between a text and the reader, emphasizing that meaning is created through this interactive process.