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- Sat Jul 01, 2017 11:43 am
#36726
Complete Question Explanation
(See the complete passage discussion here: lsat/viewtopic.php?t=14619)
The correct answer choice is (E)
Among the principles of reader-response theory is that varying interpretations of literary works are “not
only valid but also useful” (lines 56-57). The correct answer choice to this question should provide an
example of someone subjecting a text to a new or unique perspective.
Answer choice (A): An approach such as this one which seeks to limit the number of possible
interpretations does not suggest sympathy with the principles of reader-response theory.
Answer choice (B): Perhaps this answer choice is drawn from the author’s claim that it is sometimes
unfair to burden literature of the past with contemporary ideology (although burdening music of the past
with contemporary instrumentation is not completely analogous). Still, we cannot eliminate this answer
choice solely because of differing subject matter (music versus literature). Instead, this answer choice
is incorrect because it contradicts the “notion of [works] as fluid and lively forms of discourse that can
continue to support new interpretations long after their original composition” (lines 60-62).
Answer choice (C): This answer choice quite closely describes a critic’s search for the author’s intended
meaning within a work as discussed in paragraph two of the passage. Indeed, some literary theorists
would likely applaud the reviewer’s discovery of these unifying themes. Of course, this approach is
clearly advocated by proponents of formalism and does not suggest sympathy toward reader-response
theory.
Answer choice (D): The emphasis in this answer choice is on the creation of a literary work rather than
the interpretation of it. The folk artist’s approach most strongly approximates the creation of a map
pointing toward a single meaning. Although reader-response theory is concerned with understanding
cultural symbols and motifs, it does not suggest that those symbols should convey commonly understood
meanings.
Answer choice (E): This is the correct answer choice. Setting a Shakespearean play in nineteenthcentury
Japan would certainly be different from Shakespeare’s own interpretations of his work.
However, reader-response theory “legitimizes a wide range of perspectives on [literary] works” (lines
59-60) and uses these perspectives to “uncover hitherto unnoticed dimensions” (line 43) of the work.
The director’s approach here strongly suggests sympathy with these principles.
(See the complete passage discussion here: lsat/viewtopic.php?t=14619)
The correct answer choice is (E)
Among the principles of reader-response theory is that varying interpretations of literary works are “not
only valid but also useful” (lines 56-57). The correct answer choice to this question should provide an
example of someone subjecting a text to a new or unique perspective.
Answer choice (A): An approach such as this one which seeks to limit the number of possible
interpretations does not suggest sympathy with the principles of reader-response theory.
Answer choice (B): Perhaps this answer choice is drawn from the author’s claim that it is sometimes
unfair to burden literature of the past with contemporary ideology (although burdening music of the past
with contemporary instrumentation is not completely analogous). Still, we cannot eliminate this answer
choice solely because of differing subject matter (music versus literature). Instead, this answer choice
is incorrect because it contradicts the “notion of [works] as fluid and lively forms of discourse that can
continue to support new interpretations long after their original composition” (lines 60-62).
Answer choice (C): This answer choice quite closely describes a critic’s search for the author’s intended
meaning within a work as discussed in paragraph two of the passage. Indeed, some literary theorists
would likely applaud the reviewer’s discovery of these unifying themes. Of course, this approach is
clearly advocated by proponents of formalism and does not suggest sympathy toward reader-response
theory.
Answer choice (D): The emphasis in this answer choice is on the creation of a literary work rather than
the interpretation of it. The folk artist’s approach most strongly approximates the creation of a map
pointing toward a single meaning. Although reader-response theory is concerned with understanding
cultural symbols and motifs, it does not suggest that those symbols should convey commonly understood
meanings.
Answer choice (E): This is the correct answer choice. Setting a Shakespearean play in nineteenthcentury
Japan would certainly be different from Shakespeare’s own interpretations of his work.
However, reader-response theory “legitimizes a wide range of perspectives on [literary] works” (lines
59-60) and uses these perspectives to “uncover hitherto unnoticed dimensions” (line 43) of the work.
The director’s approach here strongly suggests sympathy with these principles.