Formalism in Literary Theory
Introduction
Formalism is a critical method in literary theory that focuses on the structure, style, and language of a literary work rather than its content or the context in which it was created. Emerging in the early 20th century, formalism has significantly influenced the study and appreciation of literature.
Russian Formalism
Russian Formalism began in the 1910s and 1920s, led by scholars like Viktor Shklovsky, Roman Jakobson, and Boris Eichenbaum. They aimed to define literature as a unique field, emphasizing the "literariness" of texts—qualities that differentiate literary language from ordinary language. They were mainly interested in the devices and techniques that make a work literary.
New Criticism
New Criticism arose in the United States and Britain during the 1930s and 1940s, paralleling Russian Formalism. Key figures included John Crowe Ransom, Cleanth Brooks, and T.S. Eliot.
They promoted close reading and the analysis of the text itself, independent of external influences like the author's background or historical context. This approach highlighted the importance of understanding how the form of a literary work contributes to its meaning.
Key Figures in Formalism
Russian Formalists
- Viktor Shklovsky: Introduced the concept of defamiliarization, presenting familiar objects in unfamiliar ways to change readers' perceptions.
- Roman Jakobson: Stressed the importance of linguistic structures in literary texts and helped develop structuralism.
- Boris Eichenbaum: Examined the historical development of literary forms and narrative techniques.
New Critics
- John Crowe Ransom: Advocated for close reading and the independence of the text.
- Cleanth Brooks: Known for his work on poetic structure and the metaphor of the "well-wrought urn" for a perfectly crafted poem.
- T.S. Eliot: Emphasized the impersonal nature of poetry and the role of tradition in literature.
Principles of Formalism
- Independence of the Text: A literary work should be analyzed independently, without considering the author's life or historical context.
- Close Reading: Detailed analysis of the text’s language, structure, and style to uncover its deeper meanings and artistic value.
- Literariness: Focus on the unique features of literary language, like metaphor, imagery, and narrative techniques.
- Unity of Form and Content: The structure and style of a literary work are inseparable from its meaning.
- Defamiliarization: Presenting common things in unfamiliar ways to challenge readers' perceptions and enhance their engagement with the text.
- Fabula and Syuzhet in Russian Formalism: In Russian Formalism literary theory, the concepts of Fabula and syuzhet were developed to analyze the distinction between the chronological sequence of events in a narrative (fabula) and the way these events are presented in the narrative (syuzhet).
Impact and Criticism
Impact: Formalism has had a profound influence on literary studies, laying the groundwork for theories like structuralism and deconstruction. Its focus on close reading and textual analysis remains a staple in literary scholarship.
Criticism: Despite its contributions, formalism is criticized for ignoring the broader social, historical, and cultural contexts of literature. Critics argue it overlooks the author's intent and the reader's response, thus limiting its analytical scope.
Conclusion
Formalism remains a foundational approach in literary theory, providing valuable methods for analyzing the formal elements of texts. While it has evolved and been supplemented by other critical perspectives, its focus on the autonomy of the text and close reading continues to be influential. Understanding formalism helps reveal the complex interplay of form and language in creating the richness of literary works.
The most important questions about Formalism
Q: What is the main focus of formalism in literary theory?
Ans: Formalism focuses on the structure, style, and language of a literary text, rather than its content, context, or the author's biography.
Q: Who are some key figures in formalism?
Ans: Key figures in formalism include Viktor Shklovsky, Roman Jakobson, Boris Eichenbaum (Russian Formalists), John Crowe Ransom, Cleanth Brooks, and T.S. Eliot (New Critics).
Q: What is defamiliarization?
Ans: Defamiliarization is a technique by Viktor Shklovsky that presents common objects or concepts in unfamiliar ways to change how readers perceive them.
Write an example of Fabula.
Ans: In the story of "Cinderella," the fabula includes her mistreatment by her stepmother, the arrival of the fairy godmother, the royal ball, and the fitting of the glass slipper.
Write an example of Syuzhet.
Ans: The syuzhet of "Cinderella" presents these events with a focus on Cinderella's transformation, the magical elements of the fairy godmother's interventions, and the suspense surrounding whether the glass slipper will fit and reveal her identity.
Q: How does formalism differ from other literary theories?
Ans: Formalism emphasizes the text itself and its formal elements, unlike other theories that consider external factors like the author's intent or historical context.
Q: Why has formalism been criticized?
Ans: Formalism is criticized for ignoring the social, historical, and cultural contexts of literature, as well as the author's intent and the reader's response.
Important References
- Viktor Shklovsky's "Art as Technique": Introduced the concept of defamiliarization.
- Roman Jakobson's "Linguistics and Poetics": Outlines the relationship between linguistic structures and literary analysis.
- John Crowe Ransom's "The New Criticism": Articulates the principles of New Criticism and close reading.
- Cleanth Brooks' "The Well Wrought Urn": Exemplifies the New Criticism approach to poetic analysis.