Formalist Literary Theory Concepts

Formalism is a literary theory that emerged in the early 20th century, focusing on the intrinsic elements of literary works, such as form, structure, language, and style, rather than their social or historical context. Influenced by Saussure's linguistics, Russian Formalists viewed literature as a self-contained system of signs. Key concepts include defamiliarization, close reading, and the autonomy of the text. Notable theorists like Shklovsky and Jakobson contributed to its development. Although it fell out of favor in the 1960s, Formalism's ideas continue to influence literary criticism.

What does Formalism primarily focus on when analyzing a literary work?

• The political climate

• The author's biography

• The cultural context

• The intrinsic elements of the work

Which country was NOT a primary location for the emergence of Formalism?

• Russia

• United States

• Germany

• France

What linguistic theory influenced the Russian Formalists?

• Foucault's discourse analysis

• Saussure's system of signs

• Lacan's psychoanalysis

• Chomsky's generative grammar

According to Russian Formalists, how should a literary work be analyzed?

• As a reflection of its historical context

• As a self-contained system of signs

• Based on the author's intentions

• Through its impact on the audience

What is the concept of 'defamiliarization' in Formalism?

• Emphasizing reader's emotions

• Focusing on historical context

• Analyzing the author's life

• Making the familiar seem strange

What does 'close reading' emphasize in Formalist theory?

• The author's biography

• The text's structure and devices

• The reader's interpretation

• The historical context

What is meant by the 'autonomy of the text' in Formalism?

• The text's dependence on the author's life

• The text's independence from external contexts

• The text's reflection of cultural norms

• The text's influence on political discourse

Which concept rejects the author's intentions in analyzing a literary work?

• Intentional fallacy

• Literariness

• Defamiliarization

• Organic unity

What does 'organic unity' refer to in Formalism?

• The reader's emotional response

• The author's intended message

• The interconnectedness of a text's elements

• The text's historical context

What distinguishes literary works from other texts according to Formalism?

• Their historical context

• Their political impact

• Their unique language and style

• Their author's biography