MODULE 2

FORMALISM THEORY
 Table of Contents
1 FORMALISM 5 Rejection of Extrinsic Factors

2 Basic Principles of Formalism 6 Focus on Form and Structure

3 Literature as an Autonomous Art Form 7 Influence of Russian Formalism

4 Emphasis on Aesthetic Qualities 8 Criticisms and Limitations of Formalism

 FORMALISM
Formalism, also known as "art for art's sake"
theory, views literature as an autonomous art
form with a focus on aesthetic qualities and
form.
 What is Formalism?
 Formalists criticism is a way in which the reader can approach, analyze, and
understand a text using conversational narrative structures.
 Formalists try to be objective by ignoring external factors and focusing only on
the literature itself.
 Formalists see the literary work as an object in its own right.
 Formalists believe it is crucial to understand the relationship between the
symbol and the object, experience, or emotion being signified.
Basic Principles of Formalism

1 Emphasis on Aesthetic Qualities

2 Rejection of Extrinsic Factors

3 Focus on Form and Structure

Literature as an Autonomous Art Form
1 Art for Art's Sake 2 Focused on Language

Formalism views literature as an It emphasizes the significance of

end in itself, not a reflection of the language and poetic form in
its external context. literature.

3 Independence from
Reality

It sees literature as a self-

contained realm divorced from
external reality.
 Emphasis on Aesthetic Qualities

Language and Style Visual and Sensory Appeal

Formalism highlights the It underscores the visual and

significance of language, style, sensory elements that
and literary techniques in contribute to the aesthetic
literature. appeal of literary works.
 Rejection of Extrinsic Factors
Historical Context Social Environment Biographical Details

Formalism dismisses the It disregards the impact of Formalism ignores the

influence of historical factors social and cultural factors on relevance of the author's
on literary interpretation. the analysis of literary works. personal life in interpreting
literature.
 Focus on Form and Structure

Objectivity Exploration of Patterns Technical Components

Formalism emphasizes the It explores the patterns, Formalism focuses on the

objective analysis of motifs, and structural technical components of
literary form and structure. elements within literary literature, such as rhyme
works. scheme, meter, and syntax.
 Influence of Russian Formalism

Founding Scholars
 Russian Formalism was pioneered by scholars such as Viktor Shklovsky and Roman Jakobson.

Ostranenie
 It introduced the concept of “ostranenie” or “defamiliarization” to literary analysis.

Literary Theory Impact

 Russian Formalism significantly influenced the development of modern literary theory.
 Criticisms and Limitations of Formalism

Minimalist Approach Overemphasis on Form Literal Interpretation

Critics argue that formalism's It has been criticized for neglecting Formalism is criticized for its
focus on form neglects the the thematic and contextual literal and isolated analysis of
socio-political relevance of significance of literary works. literary elements.
literature.

Formalist Criticism emphasizes the form of a literary work to determine its meaning,
focusing on literary elements and how they work to create meaning.