The Russian Formalist School

Definition

The Russian Formalist School was a significant movement in literary theory that emerged in Russia during the early 20th century. It focused on the study of literature as an autonomous art form, emphasizing the formal elements of texts—such as structure, style, and language—over historical or biographical context. This approach marked a departure from previous literary criticism by prioritizing the mechanics of literature itself and the effects these mechanics produce in readers.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Russian Formalist School emerged in the 1910s and was primarily represented by groups like the OPOYAZ (Society for the Study of Poetic Language) and the Moscow Linguistic Circle.
2. Key figures such as Viktor Shklovsky and Roman Jakobson played crucial roles in shaping Formalist ideas, particularly with concepts like defamiliarization and the separation of form and content.
3. Russian Formalists were known for their rigorous analysis of narrative techniques, such as plot structure and point of view, asserting that these elements are essential to understanding how literature functions.
4. The movement significantly influenced later literary theories, including structuralism and post-structuralism, by shifting focus away from authorial intent and historical context towards the text itself.
5. Formalism's emphasis on close reading paved the way for various critical methodologies in literature studies that prioritize textual analysis over context.

Review Questions

• How did the Russian Formalist School shift the focus of literary criticism from traditional approaches?
  • The Russian Formalist School shifted literary criticism's focus from biographical and historical contexts to the intrinsic qualities of the text itself. By emphasizing elements like structure, language, and style, Russian Formalists argued that understanding a work's form was key to appreciating its meaning. This marked a significant departure from earlier methods that often prioritized authorial intent or cultural background.
• Discuss the concept of defamiliarization and its significance within Russian Formalism.
  • Defamiliarization is a core concept introduced by Russian Formalists to make the ordinary appear strange or unfamiliar. This technique encourages readers to re-examine everyday experiences by altering their perception through artistic representation. By doing so, it allows literature to provoke deeper insights and emotional responses, highlighting how form can reshape our understanding of reality.
• Evaluate the lasting impact of Russian Formalism on contemporary literary theory and criticism.
  • Russian Formalism has had a profound impact on contemporary literary theory by introducing methods that prioritize textual analysis over historical or biographical considerations. Its principles influenced later movements such as structuralism, which further explored how texts create meaning through their form. Additionally, the focus on close reading continues to shape literary criticism today, encouraging scholars to examine how language and structure contribute to a text's effect on readers.

Related terms

Defamiliarization:

A technique introduced by Russian Formalists to make familiar objects or experiences seem strange, encouraging readers to see them in a new light.

Formalism:

A broader critical approach that emphasizes the formal aspects of a text, such as structure, style, and literary devices, rather than its content or context.

Literary Device: Tools and techniques used by writers to convey meaning and create effects in their writing, including metaphor, symbolism, and irony.