Formalism in Literature: Russian Formalism

FORMALISM

Formalism also known as Russian Formalism is a branch of literary theory and criticism which became popular from 1910 to 1930. As the name itself implies, Formalism is a critical approach to the analysis of poetry where form of poetry is mainly focused. 

Formalism deals with the basic form and structure of text. In formalist criticism, the external forces like the author’s personality, his social, educational, political and cultural background are completely ignored. Text is studied as a text only. Here, the critic focuses on the grammar, language, syntax, literary devices of the text and the ultimate meaning is derived.

SUBJECTIVE APPROACH DURING THE 19TH CENTURY:
TRADITIONAL CRITICISM:

A French critic Taine propounded his famous theory of “race, milieu and moment” during the 19th century. He argues that in order to interpret a work of art, one has to examine the traditions, family background, social environment and the time period of the author. Saint Beauve also emphasized on the study of the author’s personality before studying his works. He too believed that every art is the product of the author’s fertile brain and hence the author’s art is always much influenced by his mind and personality.

OBJECTIVE APPROACH DURING THE 20TH CENTURY:
NEW CRITICISM:

Science and technology developed faster in the beginning of the 20th century. As a result, in literature too, the scholars and critics started adopting scientific and objective approach to literature in criticism.

• T. S. Eliot published his most famous critical article ‘Tradition and Individual Talent’ in 1919. Here, for the first time we come across this scientific approach to poetry. Eliot defines poetry, “Poetry is not a turning loose of emotions, but an escape from emotion; it is not an expression of personality, but an escape from personality.” Eliot opines that poetry and the poet are detached. Poetry has nothing to do with the poet’s personality. Hence, a kind of objective approach to poetry was first initiated by Eliot.

• I. A. Richards published ‘The Principles of Literary Criticism’ in 1924 wherein he argued that a text should be very closely read and analyzed without referring to external materials and issues such as cultural, political, and economic and others.

• Roland Barthes, a French critic also published his essay ‘Death of the Author in 1967 where he advocated for the focus on the form and structure of the text. He avers that the moment poetry is written, the author is dead. While criticizing poetry, the critic need not look at who the poet is and what his cultural or social background is. 

BEGINNING OF RUSSIAN FORMALISM:

Formalism in literature as a critical theory was first propounded by a group of scholars in Russia who founded ‘Society for the Study of Poetic Language’ in 1916. This society was led by a Russian critic Viktor Shklovsky. The major exponents of this Russian Formalism were Viktor Shklovsky, Yuri Tynianov, Vladimir Propp, Boris Eichenbaum, and Roman Jakobson and so on. The members of this society were inspired by the linguistic theory of Structuralism developed by Ferdinand de Saussure. They adopted scientific and objective approach to literature. They opposed social and cultural criticism.

FEATURES OF FORMALISM:

Formalist critics evaluate a text regardless of its time period, social, political, religious connotations, and author’s background. They believe that true meaning of the text lies only in the text. Other issues lead to interpretation. They advise the critics not to become the victim of four major errors or fallacies while criticizing a work of art. Their main arguments are as follows:

1. Affective Fallacy: A text should not be interpreted based on a reader's response to it. 

2. Intentional Fallacy: The author's direct or indirect intention must also be ignored. 

3. Biographical Fallacy: The author's life and his biographical details have nothing to do with the text. 

4. Contextual Fallacy: The author’s historical, religious and social background too must not be considered while examining his works.

According to the followers of formalism, these fallacies are the subjective biases and a text should be analyzed objectively to derive its true meaning. Formalism emphasizes close readings of the text to analyze the deeper meanings of the words individually and collectively. A text is a literary work which is a finished product and nothing can change its meaning and form. The formalists focus on the formal structure of the work of art which includes the following things:

1. Words (meaning of the words)

2. Form of poetry (sonnet, ballad, ode, elegy etc)

3. Shape/structure of poetry

4. Harmony of the words

5. The rhythm of the sentences or lines

6. Rhyming of the words and lines

7. Meter used in lines

8. Meaning of the text as a whole

In short, this new approach to literature gave more emphasis on the text and its form and structure. It was a part of new criticism which was in opposition to the traditional criticism of the 19th century.

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