Formalism vs. New Criticism

Attribute	Formalism	New Criticism
Focus	Primarily on the form and structure of the text	Primarily on the text itself, excluding authorial intent and historical context
Analysis	Emphasizes close reading and examination of literary devices	Emphasizes close reading and interpretation of the text
Authorial Intent	Not considered relevant	Not considered relevant
Historical Context	Not considered relevant	Not considered relevant
Subjectivity	Strives for objectivity in analysis	Strives for objectivity in analysis

Introduction

Formalism and New Criticism are two literary theories that focus on the text itself rather than external factors such as authorial intent or historical context. While they share some similarities, they also have distinct attributes that set them apart from each other.

Formalism

Formalism, also known as Russian Formalism, emerged in the early 20th century and emphasizes the formal elements of a literary work, such as structure, language, and style. Formalists believe that the meaning of a text is derived solely from its form, and they pay close attention to the way in which a text is constructed.

One of the key principles of Formalism is defamiliarization, which involves making the familiar seem strange in order to encourage readers to see the text in a new light. Formalists also focus on the autonomy of the text, arguing that it should be analyzed independently of its historical or biographical context.

Formalism places a strong emphasis on close reading, with scholars examining the intricate details of a text to uncover its underlying structure and meaning. By focusing on the form of a text, Formalists aim to reveal the ways in which language shapes our understanding of the world.

Overall, Formalism seeks to highlight the artistic qualities of a text and to explore the ways in which these qualities contribute to its overall meaning and impact on the reader.

New Criticism

New Criticism, which emerged in the mid-20th century, shares some similarities with Formalism in its focus on the text itself. However, New Criticism also incorporates elements of Formalism, such as close reading and attention to form, with a greater emphasis on the interpretation of the text.

One of the key principles of New Criticism is the idea of the "intentional fallacy," which argues that the author's intentions are irrelevant to the interpretation of a text. New Critics believe that a text should be analyzed based solely on its internal elements, such as imagery, symbolism, and metaphor.

New Criticism also emphasizes the importance of ambiguity and paradox in literature, arguing that these elements can enrich a text by inviting multiple interpretations. By focusing on the complexities of a text, New Critics aim to uncover the deeper layers of meaning that lie beneath the surface.

Overall, New Criticism seeks to explore the ways in which a text creates meaning through its formal elements and to engage readers in a close analysis of the text's structure and language.

Comparison

While Formalism and New Criticism share a focus on the text itself and the importance of close reading, they differ in their approach to interpretation and the role of the author. Formalism places a greater emphasis on the form of a text and the ways in which language shapes meaning, while New Criticism focuses more on the interpretation of the text and the exploration of its deeper layers of meaning.

• Formalism emphasizes the autonomy of the text, while New Criticism is more concerned with the interpretation of the text.
• Formalism focuses on defamiliarization and the artistic qualities of a text, while New Criticism emphasizes ambiguity and paradox.
• Formalism seeks to uncover the underlying structure of a text, while New Criticism aims to explore the complexities of a text's meaning.

Despite these differences, both Formalism and New Criticism offer valuable insights into the ways in which literature creates meaning and engages readers in a deeper understanding of the text. By focusing on the formal elements of a text and engaging in close reading, scholars can uncover the complexities of a text and appreciate the ways in which language shapes our perception of the world.