THE FORMALISTIC
THE FORMALISTIC
THE FORMALISTIC
THE FORMALISTIC
APPROACH TO
APPROACH TO
APPROACH TO
APPROACH TO
LITERATURE
LITERATURE
LITERATURE
LITERATURE
…and to Young Goodman Brown
What is the Formalistic
What is the Formalistic
Approach?
Approach?
…
…
w
w
h
h
a
a
t
t
i
i
s
s
formalism?
formalism?
Formalism
Formalism
The term formalism describes an emphasis on form
The term formalism describes an emphasis on form
over content or meaning in the arts, literature, or
over content or meaning in the arts, literature, or
philosophy.
philosophy.
Formalism/New Criticism
Formalism/New Criticism
The formalist movement began in England with the
The formalist movement began in England with the
publication of I.A.
publication of I.A. Richards’
Richards’ Practical Criticism
Practical Criticism
(1929).
(1929).
American critics (such as
American critics (such as John Crowe Ransom, Robert
John Crowe Ransom, Robert
Penn Warren
Penn Warren, and
, and Cleanth Brooks) adapted
Cleanth Brooks) adapted
formalism and termed their adaptation “New
formalism and termed their adaptation “New
Criticism.”
So the Formalistic Approach
So the Formalistic Approach
is…
is…
A critical approach that analyzes, interprets, or
A critical approach that analyzes, interprets, or
evaluates the inherent features of a text. These
evaluates the inherent features of a text. These
features include not only grammar and syntax but
features include not only grammar and syntax but
also literary devices such as meter and tropes.
also literary devices such as meter and tropes.
Formalism
Formalism
Has the advantage of forcing writers to
Has the advantage of forcing writers to
evaluate a work on its own terms rather than
evaluate a work on its own terms rather than
to rely on “accepted” notions of the writer
to rely on “accepted” notions of the writer
’s
’s
work
work
Works best when applied to poetry and short
Works best when applied to poetry and short
fiction.
fiction.
Formalism
Formalism
Attempts to discover meaning by close reading of a work of
Attempts to discover meaning by close reading of a work of
literature.
literature.
Focus
Focus
is
is
on:
on:
Form, organization, and structure
Form, organization, and structure
Word choice and language
Word choice and language
Multiple meanings
Multiple meanings
Considers the work in isolation, disregarding author’s intent,
Considers the work in isolation, disregarding author’s intent,
author’s background, context, and anything else outside of
author’s background, context, and anything else outside of
the work itself.
The Formalistic Approach
The Formalistic Approach
DOES NOT
DOES NOT
look at…
look at…
The name of the author.
The name of the author.
The nationality or era of the composition.
The nationality or era of the composition.
The speakers background, or biographical
The speakers background, or biographical
information.
information.
Whether or not the author the had adapted this work
Whether or not the author the had adapted this work
from a past experience.
A formalist does not look at the
A formalist does not look at the
who
who
,
,
what
what
,
,
when
when
,
,
where
where
or
or
why
why
…
…
They look at the
Formalistic Approach
Formalistic Approach
Summary
Summary
The object of formalistic criticism is to
The object of formalistic criticism is to
find the key to the
find the key to the
structure
structure
and meaning of the literary work
and meaning of the literary work
We search for form which is necessary for real understanding
We search for form which is necessary for real understanding
A
A
unifying pattern
unifying pattern
is the pattern
is the pattern
that as modern
that as modern
critics say
critics say
,
,
informs or shapes the work inwardly and
informs or shapes the work inwardly and
gives its parts a
gives its parts a
relevance to the whole
relevance to the whole
We must narrow our attention to what t
We must narrow our attention to what t
he literary work says but
he literary work says but
we must first consider how it is
we must first consider how it is
said
said
Formalistic Approach
Formalistic Approach
Summary
Summary
Suggests that the reader see what is in the poem, novel, or
Suggests that the reader see what is in the poem, novel, or
the play rather than to consider what is outside it.
the play rather than to consider what is outside it.
First step in explaining the literary work is to
First step in explaining the literary work is to
discover
discover
what the words actually mean in their full denotative
what the words actually mean in their full denotative
and connotative value.
and connotative value.
Principle by which content and form i
Principle by which content and form i
nseparable—
nseparable—
○○ Imagery, tone, meters, rhymes, etcImagery, tone, meters, rhymes, etc
Formalism/New Criticism
Formalism/New Criticism
New Criticism varied from formalism in that New
New Criticism varied from formalism in that New
Criticism
Criticism
focuses on
focuses on
image, symb
image, symb
ol, and
ol, and
meaning.
meaning.
Tradit
Tradit
ional
ional
formalists often attacked New Critics for their
formalists often attacked New Critics for their
lack of
lack of
attention to the form of the work.
attention to the form of the work.
Seminal works on New Criticism include John Crowe
Seminal works on New Criticism include John Crowe
Ransom’s The New Criticism (1941) and Cleanth Brooks’
Ransom’s The New Criticism (1941) and Cleanth Brooks’
The Well Wrought Urn (1947).
Impact
Impact of F
of F
ormalism
ormalism
T
T
oday
oday
, few
, few
critics
critics
adhere
adhere
only
only
to th
to th
e
e
formalist or New Criticism theory.
formalist or New Criticism theory.
However, its back-to-the-basics approach
However, its back-to-the-basics approach
Young Goodman Brown
Young Goodman Brown
In Nathanie
In Nathanie
l Hawthorne's Y
l Hawthorne's Y
oung Goodman
oung Goodman Brown,
Brown,
there are numerous formalistic approach concepts.
there are numerous formalistic approach concepts.
This method to reading, which is one of the most
This method to reading, which is one of the most
common, has three main points:
common, has three main points:
symbolism,
symbolism,
allegory
allegory
,
,
and allusion
and allusion
. Even though these main points are most
. Even though these main points are most
prominent, there are other points such as,
prominent, there are other points such as,
ambiguity,
ambiguity,
and organic form
Ambiguity in YGB
Ambiguity in YGB
Ambiguity
Ambiguity
Allows for two or more
Allows for two or more
simultaneous interpretation
simultaneous interpretation
s of a
s of a
word,
word,
phrase, action, or situation, all of which
phrase, action, or situation, all of which
can be supported by the context of a
can be supported by the context of a
work.
work.
Ambiguity in YGB
Ambiguity in YGB
Deliberate ambiguity can contribute to the
Deliberate ambiguity can contribute to the
effect
effect
iveness and richness
iveness and richness
of a work, for
of a work, for
example, in the open-ended conclusion to
example, in the open-ended conclusion to
Hawthorne's "Young Goodman Brown."
Hawthorne's "Young Goodman Brown."
However
However
, unintentional
, unintentional ambiguity obscures
ambiguity obscures
meaning and can confuse readers.
Are they emblematic of love, of
Are they emblematic of love, of
innocence, of good?
innocence, of good?
Conversely, do they suggest evil or
Conversely, do they suggest evil or
hypocrisy, or the ambiguous and
hypocrisy, or the ambiguous and
puzzling blend of good and evil?
puzzling blend of good and evil?
What is the meaning behind the pink
What is the meaning behind the pink
ribbons?
Does Goodman Brown lose Faith or
Does Goodman Brown lose Faith or
faith?
faith?
Faith vs. faith
Allegory in Young Goodman
Allegory in Young Goodman
Brown
Brown
The story Young Goodman is allegorical,
The story Young Goodman is allegorical,
meaning that the characters and
meaning that the characters and
objects in the story
objects in the story
represent abstract
represent abstract
ideas.
Allegory and Faith
Allegory and Faith
In Young Goodman Brown, we have
In Young Goodman Brown, we have
Brown’
Brown’
s wife
s wife
Faith and the spiritual
Faith and the spiritual
faith which contribute to the ambiguity
faith which contribute to the ambiguity
of the short story.
Allegory and faith
Allegory and faith
If the tale is allegorical, for example, it may be that
If the tale is allegorical, for example, it may be that
Goodman Brown gained his faith three months
Goodman Brown gained his faith three months
before the action of the story, when he and Faith
before the action of the story, when he and Faith
were married. The allegory may further suggest
were married. The allegory may further suggest
that Goodman Brown shortly loses his new faith,
that Goodman Brown shortly loses his new faith,
for “he shrank from the bosom of Faith”
Allegory in YGB
Allegory in YGB
Allegory is difficult to maintain, often requiring a
Allegory is difficult to maintain, often requiring a
rigid one-to-one equivalence between the
rigid one-to-one equivalence between the
surface meaning and a “higher” meaning.
surface meaning and a “higher” meaning.
Thus if Faith is faith, and Goodman Brown
Thus if Faith is faith, and Goodman Brown
loses the latter
loses the latter
, how do we
, how do we
explain that faith
explain that faith
remains with him and even outlives him?
Allegory in YGB
Allegory in YGB
Strict allegory would require that she disappear,
Strict allegory would require that she disappear,
perhaps even vanish in that dark cloud from which
perhaps even vanish in that dark cloud from which
the pink ribbon apparently falls. On the other hand,
the pink ribbon apparently falls. On the other hand,
a pattern of symbolism centering on Faith is easier
a pattern of symbolism centering on Faith is easier
to handle, and may help by offering more
to handle, and may help by offering more
pervasive, and more subtle interweaving ideas.
pervasive, and more subtle interweaving ideas.
Symbolism - Faith
Symbolism - Faith
Goodman Brown's wife, Faith, symbolizes
Goodman Brown's wife, Faith, symbolizes
Brown's spiritual faith. When he sees
Brown's spiritual faith. When he sees
her
her
in the forest at the witches' sabbath, he
in the forest at the witches' sabbath, he
realizes he is in danger of losing not only
realizes he is in danger of losing not only
his wife but also his spiritual faith.
Symbolism and
Symbolism and
The Forest as Eden
The Forest as Eden
Symbolism – The Forest as
Symbolism – The Forest as
Eden
Eden
Goodman Brown appears to represent human
Goodman Brown appears to represent human
beings confronted with temptation–that is, he
beings confronted with temptation–that is, he
wishes to enter the dark forest of sin, so to
wishes to enter the dark forest of sin, so to
speak, to satisfy his curiosity about the
speak, to satisfy his curiosity about the
happenings there and perhaps even to take
happenings there and perhaps even to take
part in them.
Symbolism – The Forest as
Symbolism – The Forest as
Eden
Eden
The man who meets Brown in the forest appears to represent the
The man who meets Brown in the forest appears to represent the
devil; his staff is a symbol of the devil as a serpent. Thus, we
devil; his staff is a symbol of the devil as a serpent. Thus, we
have
have
Adam (Brown, curious to learn forbidden
Adam (Brown, curious to learn forbidden
knowledge)
knowledge)
facing the serpent in the Garden of Eden. It was, of course, a
facing the serpent in the Garden of Eden. It was, of course, a
tree—the Tree of Knowledge—that
tree—the Tree of Knowledge—that
enticed Adam. Goodman
enticed Adam. Goodman
Brown is enticed by an entire
Brown is enticed by an entire
forest. Like A
forest. Like A
dam, he suffers a
dam, he suffers a
great fall from innocence.
Symbolism – The Forest as
Symbolism – The Forest as
Eden
Eden
Faith appears to represent Brown’s religious faith and his faith in others; her pink
Faith appears to represent Brown’s religious faith and his faith in others; her pink
ribbons stand for innocence. But when she also appears at the witches' sabbath
ribbons stand for innocence. But when she also appears at the witches' sabbath
—apparently, like Eve, desiring forbidden knowledge—she too loses her
—apparently, like Eve, desiring forbidden knowledge—she too loses her
innocence. At the last moment before his and his wife's baptism into the evil
innocence. At the last moment before his and his wife's baptism into the evil
society gathered in the forest, Brown urges his wife: "Look up to Heaven, and
society gathered in the forest, Brown urges his wife: "Look up to Heaven, and
resist the Wicked One." He then finds himself alone in the forest, wondering
resist the Wicked One." He then finds himself alone in the forest, wondering
whether he has awakened from a dream or really did attend the witches'
whether he has awakened from a dream or really did attend the witches'
sabbath. But the damage is done, and he becomes "a stern, a sad, a darkly
sabbath. But the damage is done, and he becomes "a stern, a sad, a darkly
meditative, a distrustful, if not a desperate man."
Goodman: Husband or master of a household.
Goodman: Husband or master of a household.
Goody: (1) Housewife, especially an elderly one, of a lower class;
Goody: (1) Housewife, especially an elderly one, of a lower class;
(2) any lower-class woman; (3) housewife or
(2) any lower-class woman; (3) housewife or
mistress of a
mistress of a
household.
household.
King William (Paragraph 13): William III, king of England from
King William (Paragraph 13): William III, king of England from
1689 to 1702.
1689 to 1702.
Wot'st: (Paragraph 15):
Wot'st: (Paragraph 15):
Know
Know
.
.
King Philip (Paragraph 18): Nickname of the
King Philip (Paragraph 18): Nickname of the
W
W
ampanoag Indian
ampanoag Indian
chief Metacom (or Metacomet). Maltreatment of Indians by
chief Metacom (or Metacomet). Maltreatment of Indians by
whites provoked him into waging what came to be known as
whites provoked him into waging what came to be known as
King Philip's War against New Englanders in 1675-1676. His
King Philip's War against New Englanders in 1675-1676. His
defiance instilled fear in the white inhabitants of New
defiance instilled fear in the white inhabitants of New
England.
England.
Allusions within
Allusions within
Young Goodman Brown
Young Goodman Brown
Lecture-Day (Paragraph 21): Weekday on which a sermon was given.Lecture-Day (Paragraph 21): Weekday on which a sermon was given.
E'en Go Thy Ways (Paragraph 25): Just (righteous) be thy ways.E'en Go Thy Ways (Paragraph 25): Just (righteous) be thy ways.
Cinquefoil (Paragraph 32): Flowering plant of the rose family that hasCinquefoil (Paragraph 32): Flowering plant of the rose family that has white, red, or yellow petals.
white, red, or yellow petals.
Wolf's Bane (Paragraph 32): Wolfsbane, a poisonous plant.Wolf's Bane (Paragraph 32): Wolfsbane, a poisonous plant.
Devil's Staff (Paragraph 36): The narrator says, "So saying, he threw itDevil's Staff (Paragraph 36): The narrator says, "So saying, he threw it [the staff] down at her feet, where, perhaps, it assumed life, being
[the staff] down at her feet, where, perhaps, it assumed life, being
one of the rods which its owner had formerly lent to the Egyptian
one of the rods which its owner had formerly lent to the Egyptian
magi." This passage alludes to verses 8-12 in Chapter 7 of the
magi." This passage alludes to verses 8-12 in Chapter 7 of the
Bible's Book of Exodus. According to these verses, God directs
Bible's Book of Exodus. According to these verses, God directs
Moses to tell Aaron, his brother, to cast down his staff before the
Moses to tell Aaron, his brother, to cast down his staff before the
throne of the pharaoh of Egypt. When he does so, it transforms itself
throne of the pharaoh of Egypt. When he does so, it transforms itself
into a serpent. The pharaoh's magicians (magi) then cast down their
into a serpent. The pharaoh's magicians (magi) then cast down their
staffs, which in like manner turned into serpents. However, Aaron's
staffs, which in like manner turned into serpents. However, Aaron's
staff consumes the staffs of the magicians.
staff consumes the staffs of the magicians.
Allusions within
Allusions within
Young Goodman Brown
Young Goodman Brown
One characteristic we must
One characteristic we must
look at when analyzing
look at when analyzing
Young Goodman Brown is
Young Goodman Brown is
form;
form;
the structure or style of a
the structure or style of a
text.
Young Goodman Brown - Form
Young Goodman Brown - Form
A short story like YGB, as opposed to a long novel, is
A short story like YGB, as opposed to a long novel, is
structured in such a way that there are a few
structured in such a way that there are a few
notable characters and only one major situation.
notable characters and only one major situation.
As a result, a short story like YGB reaches its climax
As a result, a short story like YGB reaches its climax
and solution and thus quickly comes to an end.
and solution and thus quickly comes to an end.
A
A
short story is restricted
short story is restricted
in scope, like
in scope, like
a news story
a news story
, but
, but
unlike the news story, the short story possess the
unlike the news story, the short story possess the
balance and design-the polish and finish, the
balance and design-the polish and finish, the
completeness which we associate with the work of art.
completeness which we associate with the work of art.
In brief, like any other imaginative literary work, the short
In brief, like any other imaginative literary work, the short
story possesses form.
story possesses form.
Young Goodman Brown - Form
Organic
Organic F
F
orm
orm
The organic form has two parts:
The organic form has two parts:
The local texture
The local texture
Local Texture
Local Texture
The local texture is the comparison that is
The local texture is the comparison that is
made between
made between things.
things.
A com
A com
parison in
parison in this
this
story would be the description of red fire and
story would be the description of red fire and
a man who is
a man who is mean and controlling. A
mean and controlling. A
comparison can be made to the devil and
comparison can be made to the devil and
hell.
Logical Structure
Logical Structure
The logical structure of this story is a young man that has a wife, whoThe logical structure of this story is a young man that has a wife, who
ironically is named Faith, goes out one night on a journey. His wife
ironically is named Faith, goes out one night on a journey. His wife
begs him not to go but he does anyway. On his journey he
begs him not to go but he does anyway. On his journey he
encounters the devil, and because of this devil he loses his wife
encounters the devil, and because of this devil he loses his wife
Faith, and his own faith. When he comes back from his journey he is
Faith, and his own faith. When he comes back from his journey he is
a changed man for the worst, in a sense that he treats everyone as a
a changed man for the worst, in a sense that he treats everyone as a
sinner, and forever treats people with disgust.
