The Sociology of Reception

Abstract

The meaning of a literary work is not independent from the conditions of its production and reception. Thus, while a work's meaning cannot be reduced to its appropriations, neither can the role of its receptions in its cultural and social signification be denied. Jauss ’ concept of “horizon of expectations” to address this phenomenon is limited to analysis of the text itself, whereas a sociological perspective takes into account the mediations between the work and its audience. Drawing from Pierre Bourdieu ’s theory of the literary field and from Raymond Williams' program for cultural studies, this chapter examines the reception process from a sociological perspective, based on empirical research done in sociology and literary history.