How can the literary theory of formalism be most accurately defined?
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Answer: A. An approach that emphasizes literary devices in a text
Explanation
Formalist literary theory focuses intensely on internal literary devices used in a text. It analyzes structures, metaphors, and stylistic techniques without looking outside the work. This approach treats the literary work as an autonomous object worthy of close reading. Formalism gained prominence through Russian formalists and New Critics in the twentieth century. Critics argued that poems and novels possess intrinsic aesthetic properties independent of history. Close reading became the primary methodology for analyzing form, meter, and diction.
Literature classrooms rely on formalism to teach students how to analyze poetic meter closely. This method ensures that discussions remain anchored in the actual words on the page. Formalism provides a sharp contrast to biographical, historical, and sociological criticisms. Option B describes historical criticism, which examines external social contexts of texts. Option C represents biographical criticism focusing on the author's personal life events. Option D points to sociological or identity-based theories rather than formal text analysis.
- Subject
- English
- Category
- English Literature
- Topic
- —
- Difficulty
- medium
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