Analysis on Minimalist Poetry from the Perspective of Reader-Response Theory

Abstract

Minimalist poetry, with its unique artistic approach, leaves a lot of blank space and unlimited imagination for readers. This style not only challenges the traditional way of poets’ expression, but also encourages readers to actively participate in the process of constructing the meaning of poetry. This interactivity coincides with the viewpoint of reader-response theory, which emphasizes that the meaning of a literary work does not exist in isolation, but is constantly generated and evolved in the reader’s reading experience. The reader-response theory holds that the subjective experience and response of each reader is unique, and therefore the meaning of a literary work is pluralistic and dynamic. Under the guidance of such a theory, this thesis aims to delve into the mysteries of minimalist poetry such as imagery poetry and micro-poetry, analyse how poets provide readers with clues to their understanding through refined language and profound imagery, and at the same time, examine how readers make use of their own emotions, knowledge and experience to interpret these poems, so as to form a personalized understanding. Through this analysis, we are not only able to reveal what is so fascinating about minimalist poetry, but also to better understand the role of the reader in the construction of meaning in literary works.