Highlighting Reader-Response Theory

Highlighting Reader-Response Theory

Introduction

The recent furor over the book “Fire and Fury” written by Michael Wolff really made me think about the Reader-Response Theory. On the face of it, this is a book that should have received passing attention from the media. It had numerous errors and was poorly written in many aspects. However, the ground had been set by the president’s actions and every reader got what he or she expected from the book. It drove home the point that a creator can lose control of his or her product. In fact, in today’s world the reader has the ultimate power. At no other time has Reader-Response Theory been as relevant as it is now.

Response

Tyson asserts that critical thinking directly affects how a piece of work is received and whether it ever achieves its objectives. In fact, when the population is critical in its thinking, the readers have the power to keep falsehoods and propaganda outside the public space. In times of low critical thinking, the reader loses his or her power. Take the example of Lenin and his experiment. A critical thinker would have punched massive holes in the philosophy and a critical populace would have resisted it vociferously. However, the author was able to dictate what his book meant and thus able to enslave the readers.

The Reader-Response Theory is also evidenced in the manner in which respected media and publishing entities are doing business. At The New York Times, every journalist with a prominent column has to be active on social media and engage his or her readers. It is the readers who will determine what ends up on the front page due to their constant feedback. It is the same case in many other firms and organizations. In a world of critical thinkers, the literature follows the reader and not the other way round. It is indeed possible for creatives to move against the tide but many just choose to go with the flow.  In the modern world, the world of literature follows the reader.

The power of the reader can also be seen in the popularity of “The Great Gatsby” years after it was written. Books like these were often ignored at their moment of writing but gained prominence years later. In almost all of these cases, it is readers who led campaigns which made the books famous. However, there is the danger that the Reader-Response Theory can lead to the dilution of literature. The fact is that not many people are gifted with literary skills. Therefore, it makes sense for those with the skills to drive the process. Putting the reader in control is quite risky and can lead to literature that caters to the lowest common denominator. In fact, the American television sector is a great example of mediocrity created by catering to the audience’s basest desires. That said, it is impossible to ignore reader responses.

Conclusion

The media and literary world today is full of examples of Reader-Response Theory being applied in the real world. The fact is that the theory will continue to be apparent as more and more people gain access to more information. The New York Times has bowed to reader pressure and so have many authors. The sad thing is that not all responses are driven by critical thinking. Therefore, relying too much on reader responses usually leads to mediocre literature.