Reflexive Reading:Reading Mysteries And Self-Construction

Focusing on the phenomenon of reading mysteries,this research examines the relationship between reading mysteries and reader's self-construction from the perspective of the reader's perception,referring to the Reader response theory,and in-depth interview and Grounded theory used as research methods.The study find a reading model named "reflexive reading",which generate a picture of self-construction that develop cyclically:"Exploration(self-dialogue)-Solution(self-control)-Transformation(self-identification)".Here,mystery is a metaphor for life problems:readers shuttling between the text mysteries and the living puzzles,they gain self-control and self-affirmation through dialogue between the imaginary self and the real self.The mystery fans caught in the modern spiritual dilemma,keep wandering and exploring in detective texts.They put themselves into an imaginary security,which in turn offers an opportunity for self-awakening,self-observation and self-dialogue.Rationalism gives readers a"puzzle-solving" attitude that allow them to have fun solving text mysteries,but also make them active "solvers" in reality.Detective fans who regard rationalism as the law of "being-the-world" are subjects of self-responsibility.They successfully adjust the relationship between self and society,others,so as to adapt themselves to modern society.More importantly,they do not complete transformation of life(such as trauma,difficulties,and identity transformation)through self-escapism or shutting down perceptions;but again they use the rational spirit to retell self-course,and to complete the unity of the emotional and intellectual self,the connection of history and the present self.Finally,rationalism endows mystery fans with a critical spirit that helps them master the constructiveness of the self at the source and start a new chapter in self-reconstruction.