PrepTest 116 - Section 1 - Passage 3 - Question 14

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Reader-response theory, a type of literary theory that arose in reaction to formalist literary criticism, has endeavored to shift the emphasis in the interpretation of literature from the text itself to the contributions of readers to the meaning of a text. ███

Reader-response theory · Emphasizes what readers bring to meaning of a literary work

Proponents of reader-response theory · Text alone doesn't have meaning

It gets meaning from what readers bring to the text (assumptions, ways of reading). This makes multiple interpretations of a text likely.

Formalists · Focus on the text alone

Reader-response theory leads to fragmented views of a text.

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Author's perspective · Formalists' view is too narrow

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Formalists' argument · Formalism is objective

Reader-response theory has no standards and leads to multiple meanings of a text. Authors in fact intend one meaning and critics should try to find it.

Author's critique · Literary works can have multiple meanings

Meanings are created by interaction between texts and readers.

Benefit of reader-response theory · Emphasizing readers can uncover new meanings of a work

We've always had multiple interpretations of important works.

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Concession / Benefit · Can lead to unfair interpretations, but also legitimate new interpretations

Passage Style

Critique or debate

14.

Which one of the following ████ ██████████ █████████ ███ ████████ ████████ ██████ █████████ ██ █████████ ██ ███ ████████

scholarly neutrality

The author doesn’t have a neutral attitude toward formalism; the author is clearly opposed to formalism.

grudging respect

The passage doesn’t indicate that the author respects formalism. Throughout the passage, the author argues against formalism.

thoughtless disregard

The author isn’t thoughtless––throughout the passage, the author clearly explains the reasons that she opposes formalism. Her opposition doesn’t come from nowhere.

cautious ambivalence

The author doesn’t have an ambivalent attitude toward formalism; the author is clearly opposed to formalism.

reasoned dismissal

This reflects the author’s attitude. The author dismisses formalism and provides support for this dismissal throughout the passage.

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PrepTest 116 - Section 1 - Passage 3 - Question 14

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