Analyzing 'Of Mice and Men' through the Lens of Formalist Theory

Of Mice and men Contemporary critical perspectives

The naturalist style John Steinbeck

Written style Avoids Emphasizes explanations details sociological conditions objectivity • poetic features • imagery • figurative language

Conflict • Examines tension amongst social classes • Exploitation of power • Microcosms of society • Shines light on larger societal issues

Documentation • Document of a specific trade or occupation • Setting is usually limited to one, less-than ideal place • Detailed look at brutal aspects of life • Self-preservation • Basic human needs • Data and research driven • more textbook than literature

Narrator Objective observer Characters are placed in specific plots Observed as they cope with fate

OF MICE AND MEN FORM

nOVELLA • Play/Novel • Novel and Drama • Chapters = Episodes

Chapter form • One Scene/Setting each • Opens with description • Characters enter and exit (with what seems like stage directions) • Extended dialogue • Easily converted to the stage

Basic tenants • Simple language • Tightly-knit dialogue • Limited characters • Focused • Any symbolism and foreshadowing point to an inevitable ending

Formalist Theory

Background • Developed early 20th century • Popular until 1970’s • Focus on Form How something is said instead of what is said

Beliefs • Literary work is a separate entity • Not linked to an author’s life • Not linked to the culture of the work • No paraphrase • No reader reaction

Concentrations • Formalists look at • Recurrences • Repetitions • Relationships • Motifs • Diction • Punctuation • Syntax • Everything functions as a small part of a larger whole

Three areas of study Form, diction and unity

Form • Cadence • Repetition • Recurrences • Relationships • How words sound • Stresses importance • Events or themes repeated for importance • Connections between characters. Every character has a reason for being, reader’s must discover it

Diction • Denotation • Connotation • Etymology • Dictionary definition • Implied meaning (context) • Study of a word’s evolution. Why use THAT word?

Diction Cont. • Allusions • Ambiguity • Symbol • Links to other works (less formalist than others, reaches beyond the text) • Open ended phrase with multiple meanings (lack of form IS a form) • Concrete word or image to represent abstract

UNITY • One symbol, image, figure of speech, etc. throughout a work that serves as a thread to connect one instance with every other occurrence. What has happened, what is happening and what might happen.

Tension – Drives the plot IRONY PARADOX The existence of two contradictory truths Ex: I AM A LIAR. • The opposite of what is expected

essential QUESTIONS • Does the work fit the mold of a particular form, or is it unique? • In what manner is the story told? • Is there closure? • Is there any sound that keeps recurring throughout the work? • What is it? • What does it mean? • How does it affect the work? • What would a diagram of the plot look like? • Any paradoxes? • Unfamiliar words? Look them up

FOCUS OF STUDY • Examine the use of symbols in the novel and how they contribute to characterization • Examine Of Mice and Men as a novella rather than a play • Examine how the setting in the novel highlights the action and mood

Analyzing 'Of Mice and Men' through the Lens of Formalist Theory

Analyzing 'Of Mice and Men' through the Lens of Formalist Theory

Presentation Transcript

Of Mice and Men..

Of Mice and Men

Of Mice and Men

Of Mice and Men

Of Mice and Men

Of Mice and Men

Of Mice and Men:

Of Mice and Men

Of Mice and Men

“Of Mice and Men”

Of mice and men

Of Mice and Men

Of Mice and Men

Of Mice and Men

OF MICE AND MEN.

Of Mice and Men

Of Mice and Men

“Of Mice and Men”

Of Mice and Men

Of Mice and Men

Of Mice and Men

Of Mice and Men