Eng 451 Assignment

Name: ogunlana oluwadamilola simbiat
Matric no: Art/20/21/0569
What is Formalism and its origin

Formalism in literature refers to a school of literary criticism and theory that focuses on the
structural aspects of a text. It analyzes and interprets the inherent features of a literary work,
such as grammar, syntax, meter, and literary devices, without considering external influences
like culture, society, or authorship. Formalism emphasizes the study of modes, genres,
discourse, and forms within a text.
Formalism is a philosophical and aesthetic theory that emphasizes the form or structure of a
work of art rather than its content or subject matter. According to formalism, the essential
qualities of a work of art lie in its formal elements, such as its composition, color, line, shape,
texture, rhythm, and so on. Formalists argue that these elements have intrinsic value and can
be appreciated and understood Independently of any external factors references or meanings.
formalism can also be defined as a theory or aesthetic principle that emphasizes the intrinsic
qualities of a work of art, such as its form, color, line, and compositional elements, over its
subject matter, content, or representational aspects. Formalist criticism focuses on the formal or
structural components of a work, rather than its symbolic, emotional, or narrative aspects.
Key points on Formalism
1. Structural Analysis: Formalism involves analyzing the structure and form of a literary work,
including its language, style, and literary devices. It pays close attention to the way a text is
constructed and how its elements contribute to its overall meaning and effect.
2. Rejection of External Influences: Formalism rejects or brackets notions of culture, societal

influence, authorship, and content. It focuses solely on the internal features of the text,
considering it as an independent and self-contained entity.
3. Reaction against Romanticism: Formalism emerged as a reaction against Romanticist

theories of literature, which emphasized the role of the artist and individual creative genius.
Instead, formalism places the text itself in the spotlight, highlighting its indebtedness to previous
forms and works.
4. Russian Formalism: Russian formalism was one of the prominent schools of formalist literary
criticism. It was founded by the Society for the Study of Poetic Language (OPOYAZ) in St.
Petersburg in 1916. Russian formalists, such as Viktor Shklovsky, focused on concepts like
defamiliarization (estrangement) and the plot/story distinction to analyze the form and
literariness of a work.
5. Anglo-American New Criticism: Alongside Russian formalism, Anglo-American New Criticism

also developed as a formalist approach to literary criticism. It gained prominence in the mid-20th
century and was dominant in academic literary study in the United States until the 1970s. New
Criticism emphasized close reading and textual analysis, disregarding external factors.
6. Criticisms and Contemporary Trends: In the late 1970s, formalism was challenged by
approaches suspicious of separating a literary work from its origins or uses. Some critics viewed
formalism as arid or ideologically deviant. However, recent trends in academic literary criticism
suggest a resurgence of formalist approaches.
The origin of formalism

The origins of formalism can be traced back to the late 18th and early 19th centuries, when the
German philosopher Immanuel Kant developed his aesthetic theory in his work "Critique of
Judgment" (1790). Kant argued that the experience of beauty is based on the formal qualities of
an object rather than any specific content or concept. He proposed that a work of art should be
judged based on its ability to evoke a disinterested pleasure in the viewer, and that this pleasure
arises from the harmonious interplay of the object's formal elements.
Formalism as a distinct artistic and critical movement emerged in the early 20th century,
particularly in the fields of visual art and literary criticism. Russian formalism, led by figures such
as Viktor Shklovsky and Roman Jakobson, focused on the study of literary devices and
techniques, highlighting the formal properties of language and literature. They emphasized the
importance of defamiliarization, or making the familiar seem strange, as a way to renew artistic
perception.
In the visual arts, formalism found expression in movements such as Cubism, Constructivism,
and Abstract Expressionism. These movements explored the formal properties of art, often
emphasizing geometric shapes, abstract forms, and the manipulation of color and composition.
It's worth noting that formalism has been a subject of debate and criticism. Opponents argue
that an exclusive focus on formal elements can neglect the historical, social, and cultural
contexts in which artworks are created and interpreted. Nonetheless, formalism has had a
lasting impact on the fields of aesthetics and art criticism, and its influence can still be seen
today.

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Eng 451 Assignment

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Name: ogunlana oluwadamilola simbiat

Matric no: Art/20/21/0569

What is Formalism and its origin

Key points on Formalism

2. Rejection of External Influences: Formalism rejects or brackets notions of culture, societal

3. Reaction against Romanticism: Formalism emerged as a reaction against Romanticist

5. Anglo-American New Criticism: Alongside Russian formalism, Anglo-American New Criticism

The origin of formalism

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