Formalist criticism is a way of analyzing literature that focuses on the text itself—its language, structure, and form—without considering external factors like the author’s life or historical context.

What Is Formalist Criticism?

Formalist criticism is a method used to study and interpret literary works by looking closely at how the text is put together. Instead of focusing on the author’s background or the historical period in which the work was written, formalist critics analyze the work’s internal elements to understand its

meaning and impact. This approach is also known as “New Criticism” in some contexts.

Key Ideas in Formalist Criticism

Focus on the Text: Formalist critics believe that the most important aspects of a literary work are found within the text itself. This means they look at things like the choice of words, sentence structure, and how different parts of the text fit together. They are less interested in what was happening in the author’s life or in the world when the text was written.

Literary Devices: Formalists pay close attention to literary devices such as metaphor, symbolism, and imagery. They study how these devices contribute to the text’s meaning and how they affect the reader’s

experience. For example, if a novel uses a lot of symbols, a formalist critic will explore how these symbols add depth to the story.

Structure and Form: The way a text is organized is crucial in formalist criticism. This includes looking at the plot structure, narrative techniques, and how the story is told.

For instance, a formalist critic might analyze how the order of events in a novel affects the reader’s understanding of the characters or themes

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Autonomy of the Text: Formalist critics argue that a literary work should be studied on its own, without reference to external factors like the author’s personal life or the historical context.

They believe that the meaning of the text is contained within the text itself and that external influences are not necessary for understanding it.

The Text’s Unity: According to formalist critics, a good literary work has a sense of unity. This means that all parts of the text—language, structure, and themes—work together harmoniously. If one part of the text is out of place or inconsistent, it affects the overall quality of the work.

Historical Background

Formalist criticism began to take shape in the early 20th century, with significant contributions from Russian formalists and American New Critics.

Russian Formalism: In Russia, a group of critics, including Viktor Shklovsky and Roman Jakobson, developed formalist ideas in the 1910s and 1920s. They introduced concepts like “defamiliarization,” which means making ordinary things seem strange or new to create a fresh perspective. This approach aimed to show how literary techniques make the familiar unfamiliar.

New Criticism: In the United States, New Criticism became prominent in the 1940s and 1950s. Critics such as T.S. Eliot and I.A. Richards emphasized analyzing texts based on their formal qualities. New Critics were interested in how a text’s form and structure created meaning and emotional effects, rather than considering the author’s personal experiences or historical background.

How Formalist Criticism Works

When applying formalist criticism, critics perform several tasks to understand the text better:

Close Reading: This involves examining the text in detail, focusing on individual words and phrases, sentence structures, and literary devices. For example, a critic might analyze how a poem’s rhyme scheme contributes to its overall effect.

Analyzing Form and Structure: Critics look at how the text is organized and how different parts interact with each other. They may study the sequence of events in a story or the arrangement of stanzas in a poem to see how these elements influence the reader’s perception.

Interpreting Literary Devices: Formalist critics explore how literary devices such as symbolism, imagery, and metaphors are used in the text. They analyze how these devices enhance the meaning of the text and affect the reader’s interpretation.

Evaluating Unity and Coherence: Critics assess whether the text maintains a sense of unity and coherence. They examine if all elements of the text—such as plot, character development, and thematic elements—work together to create a unified whole.

Strengths and Limitations

Strengths:

• Detailed Analysis: Formalist criticism provides a thorough analysis of the text’s internal elements, offering insights into how the text’s form and content work together.
• Focus on Craftsmanship: It highlights the skill and artistry involved in writing, emphasizing the importance of literary techniques and their effects.
• Objective Approach: By focusing solely on the text, formalist criticism aims to offer an objective analysis, free from external biases.

Limitations:

• Neglect of Context: Formalist criticism does not consider the historical, social, or cultural context of the text, which can be important for understanding its full meaning.
• Limited Perspective: By focusing only on the text’s form, formalist criticism may overlook the broader implications and themes that connect the text to its external world.
• Author’s Intent: It disregards the author’s intentions and personal background, which some critics argue are important for a comprehensive understanding of the text.