Transcript Document

Formalist Criticism
Steve and Dan
Definition
• Formalist criticism is an approach
to literature that focuses on the
formal elements of a work, such
as language, structure, tone and
theme.
Background Information
• This type of criticism arose in the 1920’s and
1930’s but did not flourish until the 1940’s. It
rose to flourish as a act against romanticism.
• Someone most likely would use this approach
because formalist criticism provides one
“correct” interpretation.
Advantage
• This approach can be performed without
much research.
• It makes literature timeless.
• All critical approaches must begin here.
Disadvantage
•
•
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The text is seen in isolation.
Formalism ignores the context of the work.
It cannot account for allusions.
It tends to reduce literature to little more than
a collection of rhetorical, stylistic devices.
Analysis of “My Father and the Fig Tree”
• In every stanza, readers can see
dialogues from the characters
within the poem. This greatly
enhances the description of each
character.
Example
• “I’m talking about a fig straight from the earth
– gift of Allah! – on a branch so heavy it
touches the ground. I’m talking about picking
the largest, fattest, sweetest fig in the world
and putting it in my mouth”
• This dialogue is from the narrator’s father.
• This dialogue shows that her father is very
enthusiastic about figs.
Another Example
• “What a dreamer he is. Look how many things
he starts and doesn’t finish.”
• This dialogue is from narrator’s mother.
• This dialogue shows that the mother is a very
criticizing person.
Credits
Sherlock, Karl J. “Dramatist’s Glossary.”
Grossmount.edu. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Mar. 2013
Murfin, Ross, and Supryia M. Ray. "Definition of
Formalism." VirtuaLit: Critical Approaches.
VirtuaLit, n.d. Web. 15 Mar. 2013.