Horizon of expectations

Definition

The horizon of expectations refers to the set of cultural and historical contexts that shape a reader's understanding and interpretation of a text. It encompasses the assumptions, norms, and conventions that a reader brings to their reading experience, influenced by their time period, background, and previous literary encounters. This concept highlights how different readers might perceive the same text in varying ways based on their unique perspectives.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The horizon of expectations changes over time as new cultural norms emerge, impacting how texts are interpreted by different generations.
2. It is closely related to the concept of the 'implied reader', who embodies the expectations and knowledge that a text assumes its audience possesses.
3. Hans Robert Jauss, a key figure in reception theory, developed this idea to illustrate how readers' backgrounds shape their literary interpretations.
4. This concept encourages an understanding of literature not just as a static artifact but as a dynamic interaction between text and reader.
5. Readers' experiences with prior literature and cultural texts contribute significantly to their horizon of expectations, making reading a deeply personal activity.

Review Questions

• How does the horizon of expectations influence the way different readers interpret the same text?
  • The horizon of expectations influences interpretation by providing a framework through which readers understand a text based on their personal backgrounds, experiences, and the cultural context of their time. For example, a contemporary reader may approach a classic novel with different societal norms in mind compared to a reader from the time it was written. This means that the same text can evoke varying meanings and interpretations, shaped by each reader's unique perspective.
• Discuss the relationship between the horizon of expectations and the implied reader in literary theory.
  • The horizon of expectations is directly connected to the concept of the implied reader, as both focus on how readers engage with texts. The implied reader represents an ideal audience that a text anticipates, embodying certain assumptions about knowledge and response. This relationship highlights how authors craft texts with specific expectations in mind, while also showing that actual readers may bring differing experiences to their interpretations based on their own horizons.
• Evaluate how Hans Robert Jauss's contributions to reception theory reshape our understanding of literature through the lens of horizon of expectations.
  • Hans Robert Jauss's contributions to reception theory reshape our understanding of literature by emphasizing that meaning is not inherent in texts but arises from the interaction between text and reader influenced by their horizons of expectations. By acknowledging that readers interpret literature based on their historical and cultural contexts, Jauss challenges traditional views that prioritize authorial intent or fixed meanings. This shift allows for a richer understanding of literary works as dynamic entities that evolve over time through varied interpretations.

Related terms

Cultural Context: The social, historical, and cultural background that influences how texts are created and interpreted.

Reader Response Theory: A literary theory that emphasizes the role of the reader in creating meaning from a text, suggesting that interpretation is subjective and varies from person to person.

Historical Context: The specific historical events, movements, or circumstances that influence the creation of a literary work and its reception by readers.