Läsarens interaktion med texten
en studie av hur läsarens uppfattning av texten påverkar meningsskapandet i absurdistisk dramatik
Harold PinterWolfgang IserMartin EsslinA kind of AlaskaTheater of the AbsurdIdeationAesthetic responseReceptionsHarold PinterWolfgans IserMartin EsslinEtt slags AlaskaAbsurdismIdeationMeningsskapande strukturReceptions
This essay examines how the meaning of an absurd play may be affected by how the reader understands the text. To address this problem I have turned to Wolfgang Isers theory of reception. Primarily I have taken on that the creation of meaning comes about when the reader fills in blanks in the text. I have also used Martin Esslins work on the theater of the absurd. I have mainly studied his research on Harold Pinter. Based on these two theories I have suggested a interpretation model that focuses on the interaction between reader and text. The interpretation model contains how the reader analyses blanks through observing the wandering view alternatively understanding the implied reader. The interpretation model also discusses how the reader can fill in blanks by using the relationship between character and environment, the final junction, turning points and uncertainties. I tested this interpretation model on Harold Pinters play A kind of Alaska. In my ideation of the play I realized it was about the loneliness of ageing and changing. I used these results to evaluate the usefulness of the interpretation model.