Exploring the Role of Reception Theory within Comparative Literature

Abstract

Comparative literature involves the examination of reciprocal influences among national literatures, whether between a singular national literature and another, or within a network of national literatures. Alternatively, it serves as an exploration of the revealing connections inherent in diverse national literary traditions. In contemporary critical discourse, there is heightened consideration for the reader's active role in text assimilation, interpretation, and the extraction of meaning. Notably, one of the most renowned theories within this milieu is "reception theory," recognized as an interpretative approach. This theory endeavors to foster meaningful engagement between the creator's text and the recipient reader throughout the literary process. The theory of reception, also referred to as the aesthetics of reception, represents a novel intellectual trend that emerged in the late sixties of the twentieth century. It markedly deviates from conventional literary discourse by redirecting scholarly focus away from the production-oriented aspects of literary works and their aesthetics. Instead, it centers on the reception and aesthetic appreciation of these literary creations. Within this intellectual framework, a discernible penchant for taste, influence, and impressionism pervades among critics who seek to unravel the intricate layers of literary works through the lens of their reception. Scholarly investigations within this realm may adopt diverse methodological approaches, including a historical approach to explicate temporal intricacies, an inductive methodology to extrapolate critical issues, and a comparative framework to contextualize these inquiries within the broader landscape of reception theory. Furthermore, academic research extends to examining the intricate relationships between reception theory and comparative literature, elucidating the symbiotic interplay between these facets within the dynamic expanse of literary scholarship.