The Reader
The reader is that -- someone reading literature. In an attempt to define literature, Eagleton relies upon the reader's subjectivity. His purpose is to teach how each reader contributes to the definition, by bringing their understanding of the text. The reader sets certain expectations for the author's use of language which dictates the effectiveness of the text. As the target audience, the reader holds all the authority in this conversation. They set the standards and keep the literature functioning.
The Writer
The writer participates in an established conversation with readers. Their background, outlook, and setting matter in the sense that the writer contributes original ideas that reflect the world around them. Despite being the origin of their own words, the writer is still subject to the reader.
