Al-Jahizi narrative text, and the limits of interpretation An approach to reception patterns

Abstract

This study attempts to interrogate a group of readings that were presented to a number of Al-Jahizi narrative texts, in order to reveal some patterns of reception that revolved around these texts. The intention is to highlight the major role that reading and reception play in “manufacturing the text” and determining its value and meaning. We also seek from this study to identify the fact that readings and receptions of any text are governed by its historical horizon and cultural context. They move according to what their horizon and context allow them to do. Of the “possibles”, on the other hand, they submit to the constraints imposed on them by this horizon and this context. This makes studying patterns of reception a good way not only to explore Al-Jahiz’s narrative texts, but also to discover the nature of the constraints exercised by the waiting horizon in directing readings, and the impact of these readings in manufacturing the read text and shaping its meaning.