Literarno branje

Abstract

Literary reading is the most important kind of reading for literary science. It can enrich other kinds of reading, especially those that might, in the future, become shallow due to certain features of “electronic reading”. Crucial in determining literary reading is its division into first-level and second-level reading, taking into account the general characteristics of literary interpretation, the reading conditions, the familiarity of the reader with the literary contract, his or her reading competence, empathy, intent and evaluation; in fact, division into reading levels is a division according to how the reader can or wishes to shape the meaning of what he or she has read. Whereas first-level reading involves filling out the referential framework, second level is concerned with filling out “the empty spaces” or the realisation of the work of art. As literary reading is form- and content-oriented, impressions are created and reinforced in the process of reading by the reader’s knowledge of literary theory, literary history and literary interpretation, as well as by all of the supporting literary sciences and the projection of non-literary knowledge onto the literary text. In short, literary reading is a complex process of giving meaning to the literary text, a process that, through various kinds and forms of reading, is performed by a literary competent reader.