Formalism is an approach in various fields, including art, literature, and philosophy, that emphasizes the form and structure of a work rather than its content or context. In art, for example, formalism focuses on elements like color, line, and composition, analyzing how these components create meaning independently of the artist's intention or the viewer's interpretation.
In literature, formalism examines the language, style, and narrative techniques used in a text. This perspective prioritizes the text itself, often associated with movements like Russian Formalism, which sought to understand the mechanics of storytelling and poetic devices without considering historical or social influences.