The word “Formalism” has been derived from the word “Form”. The term “ism” refers to a way of thinking or a belief. Thus, “Formalism is the study of things that strictly follow their forms.” Formalism, as used in literary criticism, describes a critical method or style of investigation that mostly ignores the literary text’s philosophical, historical, and biographical backgrounds in favor of concentrating on its linguistic qualities.
Early in the 20th century, formalism developed, especially in reaction to the popularity of realism and naturalism in literature. Critics aimed for a more exacting and scientific approach to analysis. As critics and theorists started to place more emphasis on studying texts themselves than on outside sources, the trend gained popularity in the 1920s, especially in the US and Europe.
According to formalism, the only important aspects of literature are its formal characteristics. It maintains that the only way to ascertain the text’s actual meaning is to examine its literary components and comprehend how they come together to create a coherent whole. It places a strong emphasis on closely reading the text in order to examine the hidden meanings of each word separately and in combination.
Formalist critics examine the following: the work’s organization, structure, and formation; its beginning, progression, and transition to the following lines; its conclusion; the plot’s construction; the plot’s relationship to its structure; the relationship between each component and the work as a whole; the relationship between all components and one another; and the writing style.
The goal of defining literature in formalism by scientific methods served as the original impetus for formalist theory. The formalists studied the independent laws and elements of literary systems in response to modern approaches to literary analysis, an amorphous mixture of psycho-biographical narrative, social determinism, and philosophical conjecture. In the well-known words of Roman Jackson,
The object of study in literary science is not literature but ‘literariness’ that is what makes a given work a literary work.
Therefore, the initial step in any formalist analysis is to identify the intrinsic structural characteristics of the medium being examined.
The formalists’ contribution expands the scope of semantic analysis by examining poetic texts, including rhythmic, intonational, and phonic elements, which are often overlooked by traditional literary hermeneutics.
Formalists argue that while ordinary language facilitates communication, literary language is self-reflexive, providing readers with unique experiences by highlighting its ‘formal devices.’ Roman Jakobson refers to this quality as “literariness,” which distinguishes a literary work from others.
Formalists posited that the essence of literariness derives from its language. The significance of context was refuted. They assert that the only significant elements are the words on the page, rather than the context, theme, reader, writer, or subject. They posited that an art object can be detached from social, cultural, and historical influences and analyzed as an independent entity. The structure of language adheres to specific rules and laws. The form, structure, or shape of text, along with stylistic and technical features, is considered more significant than the content and co-text. They prioritize medium rather than content.
Also Read: Difference Between Russian Formalism and New Criticism
The literary text is regarded as an independent entity, a distinct imagined world from which principles and values are derived through a methodical analysis. The formalist approach to literary texts entails an examination of stylistic elements, including technical vocabulary, tone, figures of speech, point of view, sound, imagery, syntax, repetition, assonance, symbols, and alliteration. By concentrating on the analysis of these features, they aimed to demonstrate that language is the defining element of a literary work. This language differs from ordinary language due to its distinct structure.
Roman Jakobson states that:
Poetic language functions when we transport the words related along the metaphoric axis or analogous axis to the contiguous or metonymic axis.
Concepts in Formalism
Close Reading
This method entails a thorough analysis of the text, emphasizing language, imagery, sound, and structure. The objective is to reveal deeper meanings through an analysis of the relationship between form and content.
Literary Devices
Formalists examine a range of literary techniques, including:
- Metaphor refers to the representation of one entity through another, thereby enriching meaning via comparative analysis.
- Symbolism refers to objects or characters that possess meanings that extend beyond their literal interpretation.
- Rhyme and meter refer to the sound patterns and rhythms in poetry that contribute to its musicality and improve the reading experience.
Aesthetic Experience
This perspective prioritizes the emotional and perceptual responses elicited by a work of art, considering literature primarily as a source of aesthetic enjoyment rather than a means for conveying moral or political themes.
Defamiliarization
This concept, derived from Russian Formalism, posits that art should render the familiar unfamiliar, encouraging readers to perceive the world in a novel way. Literature compels readers to engage more by challenging established perceptions.
Essential elements of defamiliarization comprise:
- Transforming the familiar into the unfamiliar and novel
- Encouraging readers to decelerate their perception
- Enhancing awareness of artistic form
- Challenging automatic linguistic responses
Notable Thinkers of Formalism
Cleanth Brooks, a pivotal figure in New Criticism, advocated for the practice of “close reading.” The significance of paradox and ambiguity in poetry was emphasized, with the argument that the text ought to be regarded as a self-sufficient entity.
I.A. Richards was a significant critic known for introducing the concept of “emotive language,” which emphasizes the capacity of words to elicit emotions and stimulate responses. He developed the “poetic function,” which highlights the use of language to generate a particular experience for the reader.
Rene Wellek and Austin Warren, co-authors of Theory of Literature, examined formalist principles alongside the significance of context and history in literary analysis.
Features of Formalism
The autonomy of literature in formalism is exemplified by autonomous text theory, which represents a significant contribution of formalism to literary criticism. This theory posits that literary works should be analyzed in isolation from external influences. This method emphasizes the internal structures and devices of the text, excluding biographical and historical contexts.
This theory is compelling as it asserts that meaning is derived from the text itself, independent of authorial intentions or historical contexts. This is particularly pertinent in complex literary works, where the internal mechanisms of the text generate multiple layers of meaning.
Emphasis on Techniques: The analysis of specific literary techniques—such as imagery, syntax, and meter—facilitates an understanding of their contribution to a text’s meaning.
The concept of language as art suggests that literary language operates distinctively from everyday language, emphasizing aesthetic qualities and complexity rather than mere clarity of communication.
The poetic function highlights the significance of form, sound, and rhythm in literature, demonstrating their influence on emotional and intellectual responses.
Literary Echoes: Formalists analyze the utilization of allusions, quotations, and stylistic elements from other texts by authors to construct meaning.
