Should the reader focus on the poem rather than their own emotional reaction?

Should the reader focus on the poem rather than their own emotional reaction?

Or should the question be can a reader focus on the poem without their own emotional reaction?

I don’t think a reader can read a piece of text objectively. Every person has their own set of beliefs and background, and it is hard to separate yourself from your reading. I think every reader’s natural instinct is to read something and then relate it and compare it to your own beliefs and assumptions. It doesn’t mean that a reader can’t look at it from different angles, but it is just our natural inclination to relate to what we already believe inside of us. And when it comes to emotions, primary human reactions, we can’t help but have those when we read a piece of literature. Could a reader honestly separate himself, his thoughts and emotions, from the text?

Even in journalism, where objectivity is key, it’s hard to be completely objective. That’s why we have different news channels catering to the conservatives and the liberals and everyone in between. As humans it’s hard for us to be objective. It’s human nature to let our humanness be a part of everything we do and affects how we react to anything, even the reading of literature.