Formalism Flashcards
1
Q
focus of classic formalism
A
drama as “poetry”
Greek origin
*Aristotle’s poetics
2
Q
sample formalist devices
A
theme or motif character plot setting tone symbol catharsis
3
Q
types of formalism
A
Aristotelian/Classical
Russian
New Criticism
4
Q
What are some key formalist assumptions?
A
study of lit. is valuable aesthetic experience yields truth poetic truth differs from science poetic truth equally valid work is object/artifact writer's mind is catalyst only form and content- inseparable lit. deals with concrete moral issue lit is a product of history, personality, and taste critic assumes an ideal reader
5
Q
Where/when did New Criticism begin?
A
England and America
1940s-50s
6
Q
What is the purpose of New Criticism?
A
sought a scientific (methodical, verifiable) approach to literary criticism
7
Q
Shklovsky
A
defamiliarization
*literature should defamiliarize things to make us see them in a new way
8
Q
What is Russian Formalism concerned with?
A
literariness (poetics)
