"The formal method in literary scholarship"

The formal method in literary scholarship focuses on analyzing a text's internal elements—such as structure, language, style, and symbolism—rather than external factors like author biography or historical context. It aims to uncover how the form and craft of a work create meaning and aesthetic value. This approach treats the text as an autonomous entity, emphasizing close reading to interpret its artistic techniques. By doing so, scholars seek to understand the literary work's internal coherence and the ways its composition contributes to its overall impact and significance.