This page of audio changes with open-ended response embodies the “reader-response” method of criticism. The reader- response method is not as subjective as other forms of criticism, as this method focuses on the act of reading itself and examining the ways individual readers or communities of readers experience texts. Michael Delahoyde, a professor at Wisconisn State University, points out: “Reader-response theory recognizes the reader as an active agent who imparts "real existence" to the work and completes its meaning through interpretation” (Introduction to Literature, online, n. page). My remediation project involves a fresh look at Lish’s adaptations to Carver’s original text, so it only makes sense for my work to endorse a form of criticism that joins the reader and author to construct meaning and understanding. Since Carver’s original work and subsequent edits demonstrate contrasting literary values and styles, the viewer of this website can interpret, dissect, and question the choices and work of both Carver and Lish.
SUGGESTIONS FOR VIEWING THESE PAGES:
Start by picking one of the numbered tabs above to hear audio clips of Carver's original text and then the text with Lish's edits. Feel free to comment on these differences by responding to my posted guiding questions at the bottom of this main page (also at the bottom of each individual page for your reference).
- Introduction
- Removal of Descriptive Passages 1
- Changed, emotionless ending if the Gates story
- Removal of Descriptive Passages 2
- Increased paragraphing, punctuation and fragmentation
- Lexical changes 1
- Lexical Changes 2
- Changed endings
Thank you to Greg Cole and Mike Gagle for volunteering your voices as Raymond Carver and Gordon Lish, respectively.
Each of these sections has a discussion question with it. Please comment on them below!
