The role of the Reader

Description of resource

The author examines in the book how readers create the meaning of a text through active interpretation. He distinguishes between “open” and “closed” texts, where open texts leave more room for interpretation, while closed texts guide the reader more firmly. Eco introduces the concept of the “model reader” – an ideal reader anticipated by the author and for whom the text is written. He also analyzes semiotics and the reading process, emphasizing that the meaning of a text is never fully fixed. Additionally, he explores the differences between popular and high culture texts. The book integrates literary theory, philosophy, and linguistics, offering an in-depth analysis of the dynamics of reading.