Concept of Horizon and the Intersection of Utopian and Dystopian Visions in Literature

Abstract

Literature has long served as a powerful medium through which authors express their ideas and visions, inviting readers to engage in a dialogue with the words. Reader response theory, a critical approach that emphasizes the role of the reader in shaping the meaning of a text, plays a crucial role in understanding the dynamic interaction between a text and its audience. The notion of the “horizon” further complicates this interaction, as it represents the readers’ interpretive limits and the potential for expanding one’s understanding of both utopian and dystopian visions. The reader’s own hopes, fears, and worldview play a significant role in how they perceive and interpret the text. This article delves into the reader response theory, the concept of horizon, and their intersection in the context of utopian and dystopian literature.