Formalist Literary Theory

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Formalism

Formalism is a study of a text that doesn’t take in any outside influence. It rejects notions of culture, societal infleunce, authorship and content.

Reading of a text should avoid emotions and should be read unemotionally.

It pays no attention to the reader or author. 

When did Formalism raise to fame/importance?

Formalism raise to importance in the early 20th century as a reaction to romantic literary theories. 

New Criticism

A type of Formalism, developed in the early 1900s (20-30s)

It focuses on the elements to make fiction and highlights how these elements work together to create: unity of the plot, theme, character through the use of tone, POV, imagery and dialogue.

Questions a formalist may ask to analyze a text

• Protagonist of the story?

• Climax?

• Main conflict?

• How does the protagonists role affect the climax?

• Setting?

• Theme?

• Main characteristics of the protagons

Pros of Formalism

Reader does not need any additional knowledge other than what what's already provided in the text

Cons of Formalism (there are 4)

• Formalism can bee too strict. It says that a good story isn't good if it doesn't follow certain structural elements. 

• It ignores the authors intentions.

• Ignores the society, history or culture that a piece of work comes from.

• Refrains the reader from feelingany emotions when reading/analyzing a text.