Formalism in Literary Criticism

The video discusses formalism, a style of literary criticism focusing on the intrinsic elements of a text. It covers the historical development of formalism, key figures, and its principles: autonomy, unity, and defamiliarization. The methods used by formalists, such as close reading and analysis of literary devices, are explained. The video also addresses the impact and limitations of formalism, noting its focus on text over context and its subjective nature.

What is the primary focus of Formalism in literary criticism?

• Intrinsic qualities of the text

• Historical context

• Reader's personal interpretation

• Author's biography

What is the main goal of Formalists when analyzing a text?

• To focus on reader's personal feelings

• To derive meaning from the text itself

• To explore the text's historical context

• To understand the author's life

What is the main focus of Formalism according to the video?

• Author's biography

• Historical context

• Text's intrinsic qualities

• Reader's personal interpretation

What is the main goal of Formalists when analyzing a text?

• To understand the author's life

• To explore the text's historical context

• To derive meaning from the text itself

• To focus on reader's personal feelings

Which school of thought is Formalism closely associated with?

• Postmodernism

• New Criticism

• Romanticism

• Structuralism

What is the relationship between Formalism and New Criticism?

• New Criticism is a subset of Formalism

• Formalism is a subset of New Criticism

• They are opposing schools of thought

• They are unrelated

Who were key figures in the development of Russian Formalism?

• John Crow Ransom and T.S. Eliot

• Victor Shklovsky and Roman Jakobson

• Ferdinand de Saussure and Roland Barthes

• Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung

Which of the following is a key figure in New Criticism?

• Ferdinand de Saussure

• John Crow Ransom

• Victor Shklovsky

• Sigmund Freud

What does the principle of 'Autonomy of the Text' suggest?

• The text should be analyzed with its historical context

• The text should be studied as a self-contained entity

• The author's intent is crucial for understanding the text

• The reader's interpretation is the most important

What is meant by 'Organic Unity' in Formalism?

• All parts of a work should contribute to a unified whole

• The reader's emotional response is key

• The text should be analyzed in isolation

• The author's life should be considered