Interpretive Conventions
The Reader in the Study of American Fiction
Published on 10. September 1984
Book
Paperback/Softback
230 pages
978-0-8014-9285-3 (ISBN)
Description
In Interpretive Conventions, Steven Mailloux provides a general introduction to reader-response criticism while developing his own specific reader-oriented approach to literature. He examines five influential theories of the reading process-those of Stanley Fish, Jonathan Culler, Wolfgang Iser, Norman Holland, and David Bleich. He goes on to argue the need for a more comprehensive reader-response criticism based on a consistent social model of reading. He develops such a reading model and also discusses American textual editing and literary history.
Reviews / Votes
"Its central theme-that all assertions about literature are conditioned by interpretative rules and preceded by interpretative work-enables Interpretive Conventions to help us inspect the grounds of our practical criticism, to propose several valuable standards for critical argument, competent interpretation, and scholarly objectives, and to provide a widely informed introduction to reader-response methodologies. I have sought to address Mailloux's contentions in detail to show that his serious book not only deserves but demands careful reading, an activity I can trust he approves." -- John T. Matthews * NOVEL: A Forum on Fiction *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Ithaca
United States
Target group
College/higher education
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Illustrations
1 Figures; 1 Tables, unspecified
Dimensions
Height: 229 mm
Width: 152 mm
ISBN-13
978-0-8014-9285-3 (9780801492853)
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Schweitzer Classification
Person
Steven Mailloux is Professor Emeritus of English at the University of California, Irvine. He is the author of Rhetorical Power and Reception Histories: Rhetoric, Pragmatism, and American Cultural Politics, both published by Cornell University Press.