RUSSIAN FORMALISM Meaning and
Definition
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Russian formalism refers to a literary theory and methodology that emerged in Russia during the early 20th century. Developed by a group of scholars known as the Formalists, Russian formalism aimed to analyze and interpret literature based on its specific formal elements rather than rely on subjective interpretations or historical context. This approach emphasized the objective study of structure, language, and literary devices used within a given work.
According to Russian formalism, literature is a self-contained system with its own set of rules and conventions, independent of the author's intentions or societal influences. Its main focus is on the form rather than the content of a literary work. The Formalists believed that by identifying and studying the unique literary techniques and devices employed by authors, one could gain a deeper understanding of literature and its effects on the reader.
Some key concepts associated with Russian formalism include defamiliarization, which suggests that literature should strive to present familiar objects or situations in a new and unexpected way, thereby prompting readers to view them from a fresh perspective. The concept of plot as a system of relationships, known as plot structure, is also central to this theory. Additionally, Russian formalism emphasizes the importance of "foregrounding," or the deliberate use of certain linguistic or stylistic techniques to draw attention to specific aspects of a literary work.
Although Russian formalism faced criticism and was eventually suppressed by the Soviet government, its influence on literary theory remains significant. Its emphasis on the study of form and its pursuit of a scientific approach to literature paved the way for later movements, such as structuralism and post-structuralism.
Etymology of RUSSIAN FORMALISM
The word "Russian Formalism" originated in the early 20th century as a term used to describe a literary and linguistic theory developed by a group of Russian critics and scholars known as the Formalists. The movement emerged around the 1910s and 1920s in Russia, with figures such as Roman Jakobson, Viktor Shklovsky, and Boris Eichenbaum playing significant roles.
The term "formalism" itself comes from the Latin word "forma", meaning "shape" or "form", and is commonly used to refer to an emphasis on the purely formal aspects of things, disregarding their content or meaning. In the context of literary theory, formalism focuses on the structure, devices, and techniques employed in a work of literature, rather than its historical, social, or cultural context.
