Approaches to Literary Criticism | Formalist Approach

Approaches to Literary Criticism
The work itself or literary piece is in the center of the map because all approaches must deal, to some extent or another, with the text itself. To critique a piece of work, one must read first the text. After which, one may utilize any of the following literary approaches.

Formalist criticism is placed at the center because it deals primarily with the text and not with any of the outside considerations such as author, the real world, audience, or other literature. Meaning, formalists argue, is INHERENT in the text. Because meaning is determinant, all other considerations are IRRELEVANT.


Formalism may be defined as a critical approach in which the text under discussion is considered primarily as a structure of words. That is, the main focus is on the ARRANGEMENT of language, rather than on the implications of the words, or on the biographical and historical relevance of the work in question.

In other approach, such critics have been very responsible to the meaning and themes of the work in question. Another example is the literary piece “The Little Prince” by Antoine (Antoane) de Saint (sant) EXUPERY. In formalist approach, pronouncing the author’s name right don’t matter as we solely focus on the story itselft, The Little Prince.

Example 1:

Setting in “The Little Prince” by Antoine Exupery is: in the beautiful dessert of Sahara

In formalist approach, we need to focus on the whole context of the story in order to provide a general and correct information.

Again, A FORMALISTIC CRITIC examines the form of the work as a whole and all other elements of the text which join to make it a single text. After analyzing each part, the critic then describes how they work together to make give meaning or the (theme) to the text.

Using formalism, a critic can show how the various parts of a work are welded together to make an organic whole. This approach examines a text as a self-contained object; it does not, therefore, concern itself with biographical information about the author, historical events outside of the story, or literary allusions, mythological patterns, or psychoanalytical traits of the characters (except those aspects described specifically in the text.)

REPORT QUESTIONS:

Padillo’s Quiz

Fill in the blanks:
1. ________ examines the form of the work as a whole.
2.The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint _________.
3.The main focus is on the _________ of language.
4. Formalists argue, is ___________ in the text;
5.Because meaning is determinant, all other considerations are _______.


—thank you!