Defamiliarization

Definition

Defamiliarization is a literary technique that presents familiar concepts or experiences in an unfamiliar way, forcing readers to see them from a new perspective. This method encourages critical engagement and deepens the understanding of ordinary aspects of life, by stripping away the automatic responses typically associated with those experiences.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Defamiliarization is often associated with Russian Formalism, particularly the work of Viktor Shklovsky, who believed it was essential for art to make the familiar strange to enhance perception.
2. This technique can be found in various forms of literature, including poetry, prose, and drama, allowing authors to challenge readers' perceptions and prompt them to question societal norms.
3. By employing defamiliarization, writers can highlight underlying themes or critiques about culture and human experience, making them more accessible and impactful.
4. Defamiliarization can also be seen as a response to the commodification of everyday life, serving as a means to break away from routine and encourage deeper contemplation.
5. The use of defamiliarization not only enriches the reading experience but also serves as a tool for authors to provoke thought about how language shapes reality.

Review Questions

• How does defamiliarization function as a critical tool in formalist and new critical analysis?
  • Defamiliarization serves as a vital tool in formalist and new critical analysis by encouraging readers to engage deeply with the text. It allows critics to focus on form and structure while revealing how familiar elements can be reinterpreted in unexpected ways. This approach fosters critical thinking by challenging readers' preconceived notions and illuminating underlying themes or messages within the work.
• Discuss how defamiliarization can be employed to critique societal norms within literature.
  • Defamiliarization can effectively critique societal norms by presenting familiar situations or behaviors in unusual contexts, prompting readers to question their own assumptions. By making the ordinary seem strange, authors can expose inconsistencies or injustices within societal structures. This technique pushes readers to reflect on their own realities and consider alternative perspectives that they may not have previously acknowledged.
• Evaluate the impact of defamiliarization on readers' engagement with literature and its broader implications for cultural understanding.
  • Defamiliarization significantly impacts readers' engagement with literature by transforming their interactions with familiar concepts into thoughtful reflection. This technique encourages active participation as readers are challenged to reconsider their interpretations and understandings of everyday life. In a broader sense, it fosters cultural understanding by revealing how language shapes perceptions, prompting discussions about identity, society, and shared human experiences.

Related terms

Formalism: A school of thought in literary criticism that emphasizes the form and structure of a text, focusing on its language, style, and composition rather than external factors like author biography or historical context.

New Criticism:

A literary movement that advocates for the close reading of texts, analyzing the work independently of its author and context, concentrating on its inherent meaning and emotional impact.

Alienation Effect: A theatrical technique used to create a sense of distance between the audience and the performance, encouraging critical reflection rather than emotional involvement.