Formalism is everywhere.
As a literary theory, Formalism is a method of literary analysis whereby attention is paid to the form of a text and not the message.
There are different ways a literary text can be analysed. Focusing on the gender-related themes in a text is the Feminist way. Focusing on the unconscious mind of the writer and characters is the Psychoanalyst way. For Formalists, their concern is the form, i.e., the language of a text.
Formalists believe that the form of a text is important than the message. To them, the message only exists because the form (language) exists first.
So, they exhaust all the analytical time dissecting the metaphor, rhythm, clauses, etc. in a text.
Formalists are obsessed with the literary/figurative/aesthetic quality of a text. They enjoy the taste of literary texts, especially poetry. They sink their teeth deep into a poem and munch intensely on its literary condiments. They say the poetic meal itself isn’t the point but the taste of the meal.
To formalists, language, not message, is the content of a text.
Formalism is everywhere:
♧In how you prioritise the taste of food over its nutritional benefits
♧In how you’re attracted by the beauty of a dress over its primary function of covering the body
♧In how you’re fascinated by the physical appearance of someone over their character
♧In how you appreciate the rhythm and rhyme of a song over the meaning of its lyrics
♧In how you’re captivated by the beauty of a building’s design over its usefulness
♧In how you appreciate a nice graphic design over its message
♧In how you’re impressed by a speaker’s eloquence and choice of words over the truth or substance of their speech
♧In how you prefer a beautifully designed book cover over the quality of the book’s contents.
Look around. Where else do you see Formalism?
Comments