In Raman Selden and Peter Widdowson’s “Reader-Orientated theories” the authors talk
about how there are multiple ways to interpret a work. There is a puzzle in the text that
could be interpreted as a goose or a rabbit depending on the reader’s perception. A poem
can be thought of in the same way; is the poem a “set” thing (there is a set form/imagery/
literary meaning) or it can be interpreted different depending on the readers. This means
that a poem has no real existence until its read and interpretations differ because our ways
of reading differ. It is the reader who applies the code in which the message is written.
Poems are only potentially meaningful because not all who read it may feel the same way.
For example, in digital clock displays, the dashes make out a 4 or 5, but to those who do
not know about electronic clocks, the 5 may look like an “S” and the 4 may look like a
defective “H.”
In Henry Jenkins’ “Strangers No more we sing,” the author proposes a model of fandom,
which operates on at least four levels. First of all, fans adopt a distinctive mode of
reception; fans not only absorb a text, but also form events and talk about it with other
fans. Such as making their own art, stories, and videos. Secondly, Fandom constitutes a
particular interpretive community. This means that they form their own communities to
discuss their material. Next, fandom constitutes a particular Art World. Becker uses the
term “Art Worlds” to describe an established network of cooperative links. Last but not
least, fandom constitutes an alternative social community. Fans easily communicate with
each other because they share a common interest.