Formalist Lens in Literary Analysis

How does formalist theory focus on the internal structure of a literary work, such as its language, plot, and characters?

• By analyzing the language, plot, and characters of the literary work.

• By ignoring the language, plot, and characters of the literary work.

• By focusing on the historical context of the literary work.

• By analyzing the author's personal life instead of the literary work.

In formalist literary analysis, what is the significance of examining the use of literary devices like symbolism, imagery, and metaphor?

• Examining literary devices has no impact on understanding the literary work

• The form and structure of a literary work have no relation to its meaning

• Examining the use of literary devices helps to understand how the form and structure contribute to the meaning of the literary work.

• Literary devices are only used for entertainment purposes

Explain how formalist theory emphasizes the importance of the text itself, rather than the author's intentions or the historical context.

• Formalist theory emphasizes the importance of the text itself.

• Formalist theory emphasizes the importance of the reader's interpretation.

• Formalist theory emphasizes the importance of the historical context.

• Formalist theory emphasizes the importance of the author's intentions.

What is the role of the reader in formalist literary analysis, according to the formalist theory?

• To ignore the text and only consider the reader's personal experiences

• To focus solely on the text itself, without considering the author's intentions or historical context.

• To analyze the text based on the reader's emotional response

• To focus on the author's intentions and historical context

Explain how formalist theory can be applied to analyze the structure and style of a poem.

• Formalist theory can be applied to analyze the structure and style of a poem by considering the author's biography and personal experiences.

• Formalist theory can be applied to analyze the structure and style of a poem by ignoring the use of meter, rhyme, and imagery.

• Formalist theory can be applied to analyze the structure and style of a poem by examining the poem's use of meter, rhyme, imagery, and other formal elements to understand how they contribute to the overall meaning and effect of the poem.

• Formalist theory can be applied to analyze the structure and style of a poem by focusing on the historical context in which the poem was written.

In formalist literary analysis, why is it important to focus on the patterns and repetitions within a literary work?

• Patterns and repetitions are only important in visual arts, not in literature.

• Patterns and repetitions reveal the underlying meaning and themes of the literary work.

• Focusing on patterns and repetitions is irrelevant in formalist literary analysis.

• Patterns and repetitions distract from the true meaning of the literary work.

How does formalist theory view the concept of 'organic unity' in a literary work?

• Focusing on only one element in a literary work to create imbalance

• Separation of elements in a literary work to create dissonance

• Integration of all elements in a literary work to create a harmonious whole

• Ignoring the elements in a literary work to create chaos

Discuss the limitations of applying formalist theory to literary analysis.

• Formalist theory does not consider the reader's interpretation.

• Formalist theory is always applicable to all literary works.

• Formalist theory is too focused on the author's biography.

• Formalist theory may overlook historical and cultural context.

Which Critical Lens focuses solely on how the literary elements (symbolism, theme, tone, language, imagery, setting, conflict, etc.) of the text provide structure and meaning?

• New Criticism/Formalism

• Reader Response

• Marxist

• Biographical

• Feminist

Which lens is basically the literary analysis that you're used to?

• Biographical

• Historical

• Formalist

• Psychological