2.1 Russian Formalism: Origins and Key Figures

Russian Formalism emerged in early 20th century Russia, challenging traditional literary theories. It sought a scientific approach to literary analysis, focusing on intrinsic properties of texts rather than external factors.

Key figures like Shklovsky, Jakobson, and Eichenbaum developed concepts like defamiliarization and literariness. These ideas emphasized formal aspects of literature and the unique features that distinguish literary language from everyday communication.

Historical Context and Key Figures of Russian Formalism

Context of Russian Formalism

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• Emerged in Russia during the early 20th century, primarily between 1910 and 1930, a period marked by significant political and social changes
• Developed in response to the dominant literary theories of the time, such as Symbolism and Impressionism, which focused on the subjective and emotional aspects of literature
• Influenced by the political and social upheavals of the Russian Revolution (1917) and the early Soviet era, which led to a reevaluation of traditional cultural and artistic values
• Sought to establish a more scientific and objective approach to literary analysis, emphasizing the intrinsic properties of literary texts rather than external factors

Key figures in Russian Formalism

• Victor Shklovsky
  • Introduced the concept of "defamiliarization" or "estrangement" (ostranenie), which involves presenting familiar things in a strange or unfamiliar way to renew the reader's perception
  • Emphasized the importance of literary devices and techniques (metaphor, imagery) in creating the artistic effect of a work
• Roman Jakobson
  • Developed the concept of the "dominant," referring to the primary or overriding feature that organizes and subordinates other elements in a literary work
  • Contributed to the study of linguistics and its application to literature, exploring the structural and functional aspects of language in literary texts
• Boris Eichenbaum
  • Focused on the concept of "literariness," the specific features that distinguish literary language from everyday language, such as rhythm, sound patterns, and figurative language
  • Analyzed the role of rhythm and syntax in creating literary effects, particularly in poetry and prose
• Yuri Tynianov
  • Introduced the idea of "literary evolution," emphasizing the dynamic nature of literary systems and the interaction between literary works and their historical and cultural contexts
  • Studied the relationship between literature and other cultural and social systems (art, politics), exploring how they influence and shape each other

Central Tenets and Concepts

Central tenets of Russian Formalism

• Emphasis on the formal aspects of literature, such as structure, language, and literary devices (plot, characterization, point of view), as the primary focus of literary analysis
• Rejection of biographical, psychological, and sociological approaches to literary analysis, which were seen as irrelevant to the understanding of the literary work itself
• Focus on the "literariness" of a work, or the specific features that make it a work of art, distinct from other forms of writing or communication
• Aim to develop a scientific and objective approach to the study of literature, based on close reading and analysis of the text itself
• Interest in the autonomous nature of literary language and its distinction from everyday language, exploring how literary language creates meaning and aesthetic effects

Defamiliarization in Formalist thought

• Defamiliarization (ostranenie) is a key concept introduced by Victor Shklovsky, referring to the technique of presenting familiar things in a strange or unfamiliar way
• The purpose of defamiliarization is to disrupt the reader's automatic perception and force them to see the object or idea anew, as if encountering it for the first time
• By making the familiar seem strange, defamiliarization draws attention to the artistic and constructed nature of the literary work, highlighting its unique features and effects
• This concept highlights the role of literature in renewing and refreshing our perception of the world, challenging our habitual ways of seeing and understanding
• Defamiliarization is achieved through various literary devices, such as:
  • Unusual imagery (surreal or absurd descriptions)
  • Unconventional syntax (fragmentary or disjointed sentences)
  • Unexpected plot developments (non-linear narratives or surprising twists)
• Examples of defamiliarization in literature include:
  • The opening line of Leo Tolstoy's "Anna Karenina": "Happy families are all alike; every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way"
  • The stream-of-consciousness technique in James Joyce's "Ulysses," which presents the characters' thoughts and perceptions in a disjointed and unconventional manner