You mean I can talk about my FEELINGS!?!
Friday, February 17th, 2012 by
Permalink for this paragraph 0 The entire time I was reading the reader-response criticism chapter I was thinking, “You mean I can actually read a story or poem and then critique it on my feelings?” I was never taught this way of thinking/criticism and had always assumed it was a no-no in the professional writing community. But the more I thought about it the more I realized that in every writing the claims usually come from a feeling of some sort. Even if it seems like the claim comes from a question, that question has to come from somewhere too. I personally don’t question things in writing unless the question is triggered by a feeling I got from the writing.
Permalink for this paragraph 1 I initially was very excited to try this way of critiquing. Honestly it sounded an easy way to look at a work of writing. I soon realized I was wrong though. This criticism is no easier than any other criticism. I think it can almost be harder to use reader-response personally. It is just so vast that I sometimes can’t even wrap my mind around it or figure out where to start. There is no specific question or end in mind besides what does it make you feel and why. That kind of scares me but I am excited to try it out more.
Permalink for this paragraph 0 I have always had a problem starting projects because I am a bit of procrastinator. Since there is no right answer or concret starting question I get lost in the jumble of words. In the process of trying to figure how the writing makes me feel I over think everything. I think doing the peer-led discussion on reader-response criticism should make it easier to write in reader-response style. It seems that the more I work on reader-response the more I like it and the easier it becomes. This is good because this style of criticism really does intrigue me. Since there are so many different responses one can make about any specific writing talking to people about what I think/feel and what they think/feel opens my mind to different ideas.
Permalink for this paragraph 1 On the other hand I can see how it might be difficult to work on reader-response criticism with a lot of people. I personally can get swayed in my opinion and feelings rather quickly if someone says something that sounds cooler. Sometimes that can be a good thing and sometimes I feel it hinders me. If I change my mind too quickly I never get to fully explore what I was thinking/feeling. Maybe what is needed for me is to read something ahead of time and get my opinions and feelings in order first and then talk to people about what they thought about. Because I do still find the good in talking to people about different readings of the same piece. You never know how differently someone might interpret the same piece from you. This is where the fun is in English! The crazy places minds can go sometimes and end up in a magical world of literary wonderfulness unthought of by anyone else, it really does make everything more exciting. Like a journey instead of work.
rochelleallen
Yes! I totally agree on feeling like you’re “over thinking” the literature, but with reader-response that is what you’re suppose to do!
May I begin with saying I love the title of this post because I had this same initial reaction while reading the chapter on Reader-Response Criticism. I never thought nor learned nor dreamt that I could criticize a piece through my own feelings and experiences. For an English major, I thought such a notion was taboo in the English world. I like the point you bring up how claims usually stem from the readers feelings which lead to a question they wish to be solved. When you mention how you attempted this type of criticism and you find it may be harder than other criticisms, I am nervous. I too thought Reader-Response would be an easy form to use since the reader is pulling in their own feelings and experiences. I enjoy you mentioning the struggles you found in this process particularly when you say, “there is no specific question or end in mind besides what does it make you feel in why.” I find this to be useful for others new in this type of criticism, something to remember when they start their critiquing. I like too how you mention to talk to others on their opinions and feelings to offer some diversity and see how others view the piece. I would just be careful not to let others dissuade your experience while reading a piece. Everyone’s interpretations are different!