A Handbook of Critical Approaches to Literature Chapter 3 Formalism Abandons historical and biographical information and focuses on the work as a separate entity Formalistic critics examine the intrinsic factors of the works structure ID: 474973
Download Presentation The PPT/PDF document "Chapter 3: Formalisms" is the property of its rightful owner. Permission is granted to download and print the materials on this web site for personal, non-commercial use only, and to display it on your personal computer provided you do not modify the materials and that you retain all copyright notices contained in the materials. By downloading content from our website, you accept the terms of this agreement.
Slide1
Chapter 3: Formalisms
A Handbook of Critical Approaches to LiteratureSlide2
Chapter 3: Formalism
Abandons historical and biographical information and focuses on the work as a separate entity
Formalistic critics examine the intrinsic factors of the work’s structure
“Art for art’s sake”
2Slide3
Chapter 3
I. The Process of Formalist Analysis: Making the Close Reader
Elements of prose and poetry, terms, structure, imagery
II. A Brief History of Formalist Criticism A. The Course of Half a CenturySlide4
History of Formalism (cont’d.)
B. Backgrounds of Formalist Theory
C. The New Criticism
The “Fugitives” (Ransom, Tate, Brooks, Warren); relationship of metaphysical poets to modern poets (cf Eliot); important textbooks such as Understanding Poetry and Understanding Fiction
(Brooks and Warren); other texts by Gordon, Tate, Wimsatt, Kermode
D. Reader-Response Criticism: A ReactionSlide5
Key Terms and Devices
III. Constants of the Formalist Approach: Some Key Concepts, Terms, and Devices
Form and Organic Form
(Schorer): “the difference between content, or experience, and achieved content, or art, is technique”B. Texture, Image, SymbolCrucial role of imagery and symbol; metaphor versus allegorySlide6
Key Terms (cont’d.)
C. Fallacies
Affective, intentional
D. Point of ViewFirst-, second-, and third-person; reliabilityE. The Speaker’s Voice
F. Tension, Irony, ParadoxSlide7
Using the Formalist Approach
Making the Close Reader, p. 74
History of Formalist Criticism, p. 76
The “New Criticism,” p. 78“A slumber did my spirit steal…,” p. 93
7Slide8
Application of the Formalistic Approach
The formalist critic dissects the poem solely using structural devices (imagery, diction, metaphor) to convey the meaning of “To His Coy Mistress”
Prominent motifs of the poem:
Space/Time metaphor
Sexuality
8