The Theory and Practice of Reception Study: Reading Race and Gender in Twain, Faulkner, Ellison, and Morrison

This book explores how Faulkner, Morrison, Mark Twain, and Ralph Ellison's novels challenge racial and sexual divisions in the South and contemporary culture. It discusses reader-response and reception study theories and proposes a reception study based on Michel Foucault's historical or archaeological methods. It examines the institutional contexts of readers' responses, including academic criticism, reviews, and online reactions.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 212 pages
Publication date: 29 January 2024
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This comprehensive book delves into the profound examination of novels by renowned authors such as Faulkner, Morrison, Mark Twain, and Ralph Ellison. Through a meticulous analysis, it emerges that these literary masterpieces actively challenge the deeply entrenched racial and sexual divisions that have characterized both the South and contemporary culture throughout the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Furthermore, the book explores various theories of reader-response and reception study, offering a novel approach that is rooted in historical and archaeological methods, inspired by the insights of Michel Foucault.

What sets this work apart is its unique focus on the reception of these literary works. It goes beyond mere discussions of historical contexts or prescriptive reader responses, delving into the intricate nuances of academic criticism, reviews, and, perhaps most importantly, the online responses of ordinary readers in the twenty-first century. Recognizing the immense influence of the internet on contemporary culture, the book takes a groundbreaking approach by examining the institutional contexts that shape readers' interpretations and reactions.

By undertaking this comprehensive exploration, the book offers a fresh perspective on American literature, shedding light on the complex ways in which these works have been received and interpreted by different audiences. It challenges traditional notions of reception and emphasizes the importance of considering the broader social, cultural, and historical contexts in which these texts were produced and consumed. Through its rigorous analysis and thoughtful insights, this book provides a valuable contribution to the field of literary reception studies, enriching our understanding of the enduring power of literature to shape our perceptions and understanding of the world.

Weight: 330g
Dimension: 152 x 228 x 15 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032245027