Viktor Shklovsky

Definition

Viktor Shklovsky was a Russian literary theorist and writer, known for his contributions to the field of literary criticism and for being a prominent figure in the Russian Formalist movement. His key idea of 'defamiliarization' emphasizes how art can disrupt the familiar perceptions of reality, forcing audiences to see the world anew. This concept connects closely with Aristotle's Poetics, as it reflects on how narrative techniques can enhance the emotional and intellectual engagement of readers with a text.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Shklovsky's notion of defamiliarization challenges readers to perceive familiar objects and experiences differently, enhancing their understanding of literature.
2. He argued that literature should be analyzed based on its formal elements rather than its historical or biographical context.
3. Shklovsky believed that art's primary function is to create a sense of estrangement from everyday life, allowing individuals to engage with reality in a more profound way.
4. His essay 'Art as Technique' articulates how literary devices are essential for creating new meanings in texts.
5. Shklovsky's work laid the groundwork for structuralism and influenced later critics and theorists, including those studying narrative techniques in relation to Aristotle's concepts.

Review Questions

• How does Viktor Shklovsky's concept of defamiliarization relate to Aristotle's ideas in Poetics?
  • Shklovsky's concept of defamiliarization parallels Aristotle's ideas in Poetics by both emphasizing the importance of narrative techniques in shaping reader experience. While Aristotle discusses elements like plot and character to evoke emotions and catharsis, Shklovsky suggests that literature can disrupt habitual perceptions through defamiliarization. This shared focus on how artistic form influences reader engagement highlights the timeless relevance of these critical theories.
• Evaluate the impact of Shklovsky’s contributions to Russian Formalism on modern literary criticism, especially in the context of Aristotle's Poetics.
  • Shklovsky's contributions to Russian Formalism have profoundly impacted modern literary criticism by shifting focus towards the formal aspects of texts, similar to Aristotle's emphasis on structure in Poetics. His analysis encourages critics to examine how literary devices create meaning rather than relying solely on historical or contextual interpretations. This approach has influenced contemporary narrative theory, encouraging deeper exploration of storytelling techniques and their emotional effects on readers.
• Synthesize the main ideas presented by Shklovsky regarding defamiliarization with Aristotle's understanding of catharsis, discussing their relevance in today’s literary analysis.
  • By synthesizing Shklovsky's defamiliarization with Aristotle's catharsis, we see a rich interplay between technique and emotional engagement in literature. Shklovsky argues that art should make familiar experiences strange to enhance perception, while Aristotle posits that effective storytelling evokes emotions leading to catharsis. Together, these concepts inform modern literary analysis by highlighting how authors can manipulate form to elicit profound emotional responses, thus enriching our understanding of both classic and contemporary texts.

Related terms

Defamiliarization: A technique proposed by Shklovsky that involves presenting common experiences in an unfamiliar way to make them more vivid and thought-provoking.

Russian Formalism: A school of literary theory that emerged in the early 20th century, focusing on the formal aspects of literature and the mechanisms of artistic devices.

Aristotle's Poetics: An influential work that outlines the principles of dramatic theory and literary criticism, focusing on elements like plot, character, and catharsis.