Wolfgang Iser: ‘Indeterminacy and the Reader’s Response’

Abstract

If texts actually possessed only the meaning brought to light by interpretation, then there would remain very little else for the reader. He could only accept or reject it, take it or leave it. The fundamental question is, however, what actually does take place between text and reader? Is it possible to look into that relationship at all, or is not the critic simply plunging into a private world where he can only make vague conjectures and speculations? Is one able to express anything at all about those highly heterogeneous reactions that run between text and reader? At the same time it must be pointed out that a text can only come to life when it is read, and if it is to be examined, it must therefore be studied through the eyes of the reader. …