Literary Language and Formalism

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Questions and Answers

What is typically the focus of formalist approaches to the study of literature?

Character development and psychological analysis

Plot and narrative structure (correct)

Cultural and historical context

Thematic and moral implications

What distinguishes a round character from a flat character in literature?

Round characters are typically more complex and differentiated. (correct)

Round characters are less relatable than flat characters.

Flat characters represent individual experiences.

Flat characters lack any traits.

Which type of characterization is indicated by the term 'Everyman-figure' in medieval literature?

A character representing a specific individual

A character with a distinct psychological profile

A character designed for comedic effect

A character symbolizing vices and virtues (correct)

In what context can characters be analyzed beyond psychoanalytic methods?

Within narratological structures Signup and view all the answers

How does contemporary advertising use typified character presentations?

To provide didactic and persuasive messages Signup and view all the answers

In Mark Twain's 'A True Story,' what does Aunt Rachel’s character predominantly represent?

A typified representation of endurance and resilience Signup and view all the answers

What does a typified character in literature often aim to represent?

The general traits of a group or abstract ideas Signup and view all the answers

What role does setting play in multi-perspectival narratives?

It indirectly shapes the other elements of the narrative. Signup and view all the answers

What was one key contribution of Roman Jakobson while he was part of the Prague Circle?

The emphasis on the structure of literary works. Signup and view all the answers

How did Shklovsky view realist novels in comparison to other literary forms?

He found them less literary due to fewer poetic features. Signup and view all the answers

What did the Formalists aim to establish in their study of literature?

A clear definition of literature and its distinguishing features. Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of language did the Formalists focus on in their analysis?

The psychological impact of language on readers. Signup and view all the answers

Which concept is central to understanding the value of literature according to the Formalists?

The functionality and purpose of literature. Signup and view all the answers

What criticism do the Formalists often have towards intrinsic formalist approaches?

They think intrinsic approaches ignore the reader's psychological response. Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by 'literariness' in the context of Formalist theory?

The unique features that make a work literary. Signup and view all the answers

What was a key characteristic of literature as defined by the Formalists?

It draws attention to its own language and form. Signup and view all the answers

What is a key observation regarding the boundaries between literary and non-literary language?

There is a surprising degree of literariness in ordinary language. Signup and view all the answers

According to traditional views in Anglo-American literary criticism, literature is characterized as:

The best that is known and thought in the world. Signup and view all the answers

What implication is derived from the study of literary classics in modern foreign languages curricula?

Students should revere literary classics as the highest use of language. Signup and view all the answers

What is one characteristic of the language of literature highlighted in the provided content?

It is more interesting and varied. Signup and view all the answers

Which figure is associated with the traditional views of literature within the Anglo-American context?

Arnold. Signup and view all the answers

What question does the text pose regarding the notion of 'non-literature'?

Is its definition coherent? Signup and view all the answers

Which approach is indicated as a formalist perspective on literary language?

New Criticism. Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of language is implicitly defined alongside the definition of language itself?

Human beings in the world. Signup and view all the answers

What is the rhyme scheme of the poem discussed in the content?

ABBAABBA+CDCDCD Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect of literary form is explained by generative metrics?

Invariant aspects Signup and view all the answers

What does the grouping of lines in the poem demonstrate?

Two incompatible groupings can coexist. Signup and view all the answers

The content suggests that literary form can be viewed as what?

A form of meaning Signup and view all the answers

In what form of linguistics does the concept of 'formal multiplicity' arise as discussed?

Generative metrics and linguistic pragmatics Signup and view all the answers

What emotional call do the repeated phrases in the poem convey?

Anxiety over love's reciprocation Signup and view all the answers

How is the relationship between the two interpretations of line grouping characterized?

They are contradictory yet coexist. Signup and view all the answers

The poem's iambic pentameter suggests what kind of rhythm?

A regular beat with unstressed and stressed syllables Signup and view all the answers

What is the main aim of poetic language according to Mukarovsky?

To maximize linguistic distortion Signup and view all the answers

According to Shklovsky, how does art serve the viewer or reader?

By emphasizing the artfulness of the object Signup and view all the answers

What aspect does Jakobson highlight as essential in poetic communication?

The form of the message itself Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes literature from advertising according to the discussed Formalist ideas?

The intended function of the work Signup and view all the answers

What literary device is emphasized through devices like repetition in works such as Yeats' 'Easter 1916'?

Patterning Signup and view all the answers

What theme is central to the Formalist perspective on poetry?

Language transcends communication Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by 'foregrounding' in the context of poetic language?

Making the reader more aware of linguistic devices Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of language does the Czech Formalists' work particularly emphasize?

The artistic and aesthetic qualities of language Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

The Language of Literature

There are no clear boundaries between literary and non-literary uses of language.
The language of literature is more interesting and varied than everyday language.
Literary language is often characterized by its "literariness" and its use of language features for artistic effect.
The "literariness" of a text can include features such as creative metaphor, unusual syntax, and marked repetitions.
Traditional formalist approaches to the study of literature focus on the "literary" features of a text, aiming to identify what makes it characteristically literary.

Formalist Views on Literary Language

Formalist critics argue that literary language is distinct from everyday language because it draws attention to itself.
Formalists identify "literary features" in texts, such as foregrounding, deviant forms, and parallelism, which contribute to the text's 'literariness'.
Some formalists, like Shklovsky, believe that in art, the object itself is less important than the way in which it is presented.
The language of literature is often characterized by its emphasis on form, as opposed to content.

Characters in Literature

Formalist approaches to literary study often focus on plot and narrative structure.
Psychoanalytic approaches shift the focus to the text's characters.
Characters in literature can be rendered as either types or individuals.
A typified character, typically a flat character, represents a specific trait or an abstract idea.
Round characters are more complex and multifaceted.
Medieval allegorical depictions of characters often relied on typification to personify vices, virtues, or philosophical and religious positions.
The "Everyman" figure, a common trope in medieval literature, represents the sinful Christian.
Modern advertising employs typified character presentation for persuasive and didactic purposes.

Conclusion

The study of literary language is an ongoing and complex endeavor, one that requires careful attention to the specific historical and cultural context of each text.
The language of literature is not inherently different from other forms of language, but it is often characterized by its use of linguistic features in creative and artistic ways.
While formalist approaches can offer valuable insights, it's important to consider multiple perspectives and approaches when analyzing literary language.

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Description

Explore the characteristics that distinguish literary language from everyday language in this quiz. Delve into the concept of 'literariness' and learn about formalist approaches that analyze the unique features of literary texts. Test your understanding of metaphor, syntax, and the effects of language on literature.