formalist criticism

[/ˈfɔːrməlɪst ˈkrɪtɪsɪzəm/]
noun
crítica formalista
1. A literary or artistic critical approach that focuses primarily on the formal elements of a work (structure, form, style, technique) rather than its content, historical context, or biographical information about the author
Formalist criticism examines the poem's meter, rhyme scheme, and narrative structure rather than the poet's personal life.
A crítica formalista examina a métrica, a rima e a estrutura narrativa do poema em vez da vida pessoal do poeta.
2. An analytical method that emphasizes the intrinsic properties and internal relationships of a text or artwork as autonomous aesthetic objects
Through formalist criticism, the scholar analyzed how colors and composition created meaning in the abstract painting.
Através da crítica formalista, o estudioso analisou como as cores e a composição criavam significado na pintura abstrata.
Formalist criticism was a dominant approach in mid-20th century American and European universities, particularly through the New Criticism movement. In Brazilian and Portuguese academic contexts, it remains an important theoretical framework in literature departments, though often taught alongside other critical approaches like historical and sociological criticism.
Synonyms / Sinônimos
formalismstructural criticismaesthetic criticismNew Criticism
Antonyms / Antônimos
biographical criticismhistorical criticismcontextual criticismsociological criticism

Regional Variations

General Brazilian Portuguese
crítica formalista
Standard term used in academic and literary circles
Portugal
crítica formalista
Same standard usage as in Brazil; sometimes also referred to as 'formalismo'
Academic English
formalist criticism / formalism
Primarily used in university-level literary studies and art criticism

Related Words

literary criticismaesthetic analysistextual analysisstructuralismclose readingNew Criticism

Related Idioms & Phrases

read between the lines (opposite approach)
form over function
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