Jan Mukarovsky

Jan Mukarovsky was a Czech literary theorist and a key figure in the Prague School of Structuralism. He contributed to Formalism, a movement that emphasizes the study of literary texts' structures and techniques rather than their historical or social contexts. Mukarovsky believed that a work of art's meaning arises from its form and the relationships within it, rather than from external influences. He introduced concepts like "aesthetic function," highlighting how elements of art serve to create meaning and evoke emotion. His ideas influenced narrative theory, linguistics, and the understanding of artistic expression in literature and beyond.