There are an infinite number of potential meanings for any given text if, as Stanley Fish argues, an individual reader interprets a text and thereby gives it meaning. Why do so many people interpret things in the same ways?
A) People tend to look to a small number of critics to explain any particular piece of culture.
B) People have very little imagination and do not like to focus too much on any given text.
C) People who consume the same texts come from similar backgrounds and have similar interpretive frameworks.
D) People passively absorb meanings from the media that lead them to see the world in the same ways.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

People who consume the same texts frequently come from similar backgrounds or have similar social and cultural frameworks. This can create a shared set of assumptions and values that shape their interpretation of a given text in similar ways. Additionally, people may be influenced by the dominant cultural narratives that are conveyed through media and other sources, which can further shape their interpretation of texts. However, it is important to note that this does not mean that all people interpret texts in exactly the same way - there is still room for individual variation and interpretation.

There Are an Infinite Number of Potential Meanings for Any