ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Reception theory

Reception theory is like playing a game of catch with a ball. The person throwing the ball has a certain intention for where the ball should go, like throwing it towards a specific target. But the person catching the ball may have a different intention for where they want to catch the ball, like catching it with one hand instead of two. In the same way, when someone creates a book or movie, they have a certain intention for how their audience will receive and interpret it. However, the audience may have different backgrounds, experiences, and ideas, which can change how they interpret the book or movie. Reception theory is all about exploring these different interpretations and how they interact with the creator's intentions. Think of it like a fun game of catch between the creator and the audience - both can influence the outcome, and it's interesting to see how they work together.