The Reader, the Text, the Poem: The Transactional Theory of the Literary Work

Although my class necessitated that I purchase this book, I must say that this is an easily read textbook that should add to your repertoire of knowledge whether you are a first-year student or a practicing instructor.

A place to start for anyone interested in the theory of transactional literacy, The Reader, The Text,and the Poem defines Rosenblatt's response to Formalist Close Reading Theory and provides bridgework to current Reader Response Theory. I'd rather stick with Rosenblatt than go full over to Reader Response.... Good read.

Had to follow, but excellent classroom resource.

Great book...Very philosophical, invokes thinking.,

The book, The Reader, the Text, the Poem: The Transactional Theory of The Literary Work by Louise Rosenblatt (1978) was a groundbreaking theory of reader response. Although published over 30 years ago, it is still relevant providing insights about how readers interpret text. A must read for any teacher, professor, or individual interested in the interpretation of written words and specifically literature as an aesthetic work of art. Rosenblatt declared, " the text is merely an object of paper and ink until some reader responds to the marks on the page as verbal symbols" (p. 23). It was born out of years of observing readers but mainly in response to the New Criticism ideas that redirected literary interpretation away from the reader. It was a rejection to the polar directions of literary evaluation, which first centered on the text and then focusing all attention towards the author. Rosenblatt proposed the reader as transacting with the text and resulting in "the poem". The poem is a term to mean "an event in time. It is not an object or an ideal entity" (p. 12). The poem is the result of the reader with his/her background experiences and present disposition who negotiates meaning with the text and the text in turn affects the reader's interpretation, as a "live circuit" (p. 14). It is an event that exits at a given time in a particular context.In addition, Rosenblatt explains the differentiation between reading a literary work of art and other types of written communication as existing on a continuum from efferent to aesthetic reading. While the primary purpose of efferent reading is to take away information, aesthetic reading is concerned with the process of reading-what happens during the reading event in literature. According to Rosenblatt, in aesthetic reading the reader is focused not just on the words but the potential of the meaning of those words, which is influenced by the all encompassing person of the reader. It must also be understood that individuals often move back and forth between efferent and aesthetic reading in their daily lives. Also, readers function on this continuum of efferent and aesthetic stances with which they (the reader) approach any reading event.Furthermore, the transactional theory considers the reader's gender, socioeconomic background, culture, languages, and ethnicity since these things are brought to the reading event with the reader and cannot be separated from who they are.The implications for teaching and learning reading are great. With this theory the significance of the reader is recognized. As educators work with children and professors with college students is becomes critical that readers are taken seriously. Their interpretations should be valued. However, this theory must not be misunderstood. It is a theory that views any literary understanding as truly transactional and a product of both the reader and the text affecting each other. The texts holds the read accountable to its meaning and the readers brings his/her background and personality to the text. Furthermore, when readers talk about their interpretations, it requires the reader to go back to the text for support of their explanations, and attend to words or phrases brought up by others. Therefore, interpretations can be helped through social interactions with others.It is a more complete literary theory than those of the past and frees us from absolutists; it preserves the importance of the text and allows for a synergistic event of a "lived through" experience of reader and text converging in a process to form the poem. In the end, it is not the text alone, nor the author but the transaction of the three -the reader, text, and the author to create the ultimate poem.

Useful for deepening your knowledge and understanding of texts. It suited my needs at the time and I have used it for reference.

Item exactly as described, fast delivery, good condition. Very pleased - thank you! A++

Livro interessante para quem ensina literatura e busca entender entender o ensino dessa disciplina. Ótimo vendedor👍