Russian Formalism - Philosophical Concept | Alexandria
Russian Formalism: A movement that dared to redefine the very essence of literature, existing not in its reflection of reality, but within its own intricate architecture of language. This revolutionary school of thought, also sometimes reductively perceived as a mere cataloging of literary devices, emerged in the tumultuous landscape of early 20th-century Russia, seeking to establish a scientific, objective basis for literary study.
While the seeds of formalism were sown earlier, its formal articulation took root around 1915, with the founding of the Moscow Linguistic Circle and the Society for the Study of Poetic Language (OPOJAZ) in St. Petersburg. Figures like Viktor Shklovsky, Roman Jakobson, and Boris Eikhenbaum challenged the prevailing biographical and historical approaches to literary analysis. Amidst the throes of revolution and societal upheaval, these scholars turned their attention to the internal workings of the text itself, seeking to uncover the patterns and techniques that distinguished literature from ordinary language.
The formalists argued that art's purpose was to "make strange" (ostranenie), to defamiliarize the familiar, forcing readers to see the world anew. This emphasis on technique, style, and the "literariness" of a text sparked intense debate, drawing both fervent supporters and vehement critics. Over time, interpretations of formalism shifted as thinkers broadened beyond purely structural considerations to incorporate elements of cultural and historical context, influencing the development of structuralism and semiotics. Yet, even as formalist principles were adapted, controversies arose over authorial intention, the role of ideology, and the limits of textual analysis, reminding us of the field's original disputes. While the initial movement was suppressed in the Soviet Union during the 1930s, its ideas continued to echo through literary circles and transform critical thought across the globe.
The legacy of Russian Formalism endures in modern literary criticism, shaping our understanding of narrative structure, poetic language, and the very nature of artistic expression. Contemporary scholars continue to grapple with the questions raised by the formalists, reinterpreting their insights in the context of post-structuralist, feminist, and postcolonial perspectives. As we navigate today's landscape, the principles of Russian Formalism encourage us to look beyond the surface and explore the underlying architecture of any text. What hidden patterns of language await discovery?