Formalism

Formalism, in its broadest sense, is a philosophical or artistic approach emphasizing the importance of form over content. It can manifest in diverse fields, focusing on structured elements, rules, and conventions. In art, formalism prioritizes aesthetic qualities like composition, color, and texture, often neglecting or downplaying the emotional, symbolic, or narrative aspects. In legal and ethical contexts, it stresses adherence to established rules and procedures, even if the outcomes seem unjust. In linguistics and literary studies, formalism analyzes the structure and organization of language or texts. It examines how these structures contribute to meaning independently of external factors or the author’s intent, or the context within which the work was produced. This often involves the analysis of literary devices, grammatical structure, and narrative techniques.

Formalism meaning with examples

• In art, the art critic dismissed the abstract painting as an exercise in formalism, arguing that its meticulous arrangement of lines and colors lacked any deeper meaning or emotional resonance. The critic said it focused so much on the form, the geometric shapes, the composition, and the color combinations, it felt empty.
• The court's rigid adherence to legal formalism, even in cases with clear extenuating circumstances, drew criticism, as the focus on procedure overshadowed the pursuit of justice. This resulted in several acquittals as the prosecution's adherence to the legal paperwork was found to be insufficient.
• During the analysis of the poem, the literary critic utilized a formalist approach, examining the rhyme scheme, meter, and imagery to decode the text's meaning. The scholar examined the stanza and the use of iambic pentameter, as well as the assonance and alliteration to determine the significance.
• The architect was accused of architectural formalism because his buildings, while aesthetically pleasing and geometrically correct, were ill-suited to the needs of their occupants, a consequence of prioritizing the structural integrity of the building at the expense of its practicality and function