Q1. Explain Viktor Shklovsky's concept of defamiliarization as discussed in "Art as Technique." How does this concept contribute to the understanding of literature and art?
Answer: Viktor Shklovsky's concept of defamiliarization, or ostranenie, revolves around the idea of making the familiar unfamiliar. In "Art as Technique," he argues that routine experiences and objects are often perceived automatically, and this automatic perception dulls our sensitivity. Defamiliarization, according to Shklovsky, involves presenting ordinary things in a way that disrupts habitual recognition, forcing the audience to see them with fresh eyes. This intentional estrangement is a central component of artistic creation as it challenges conventional forms and stimulates a more engaged and thoughtful reception of literature and art. By defamiliarizing the familiar, artists provoke a reevaluation of the ordinary, encouraging a deeper exploration of the world and its meanings.
Q2. How does Shklovsky advocate for the significance of form in literature in "Art as Technique"? Provide examples from the essay to support your answer.
Answer: In "Art as Technique," Viktor Shklovsky contends that form is not merely a neutral container for content but is integral to the artistic experience. He argues that innovative forms, such as those that employ peculiar structures or linguistic devices, play a crucial role in disrupting automatic perception. Shklovsky emphasizes that the way a story is told is as important as the story itself. For instance, he cites Tolstoy's "The Kreutzer Sonata" as an example where the author's choice of narrative form contributes to the defamiliarization of the subject matter, making it more thought-provoking and engaging for the reader. Shklovsky's advocacy for the significance of form underscores the idea that the manner in which content is presented shapes the audience's reception and understanding of the work.
Q3. Discuss Shklovsky's views on the relationship between language and artistic expression in "Art as Technique." How does language contribute to the process of defamiliarization?
Answer: Viktor Shklovsky places a strong emphasis on language as a tool for artistic innovation and defamiliarization in "Art as Technique." According to Shklovsky, the habitual use of language in everyday communication contributes to automatic perception, and art seeks to disrupt this automatism. He argues that artists can achieve defamiliarization through various linguistic devices, such as metaphor, simile, and other forms of figurative language. By employing language in unconventional ways, artists make the familiar seem strange, prompting the audience to reevaluate their preconceptions. Shklovsky's perspective highlights the transformative power of language in the artistic process and its ability to challenge and invigorate the reader's engagement with the text.
Q4. Discuss the symbolic significance of everyday objects in Viktor Shklovsky's "Art as Technique." How does Shklovsky use ordinary objects as symbols to convey deeper meaning, and what role do these symbols play in the process of defamiliarization?
Answer: In "Art as Technique," Viktor Shklovsky assigns symbolic significance to everyday objects as part of his exploration of defamiliarization. Ordinary objects, when presented in a way that disrupts habitual recognition, become symbols that convey deeper meaning. Shklovsky argues that the artistic process involves taking the mundane and making it strange, prompting the audience to reconsider its significance. For example, the simple act of describing a familiar object in an unusual or detailed manner, as demonstrated in Tolstoy's "The Kreutzer Sonata," transforms that object into a symbol of artistic intent. These symbols serve to jolt the audience out of automatic perception, inviting them to see the world anew. Shklovsky's use of everyday objects as symbols underscores the transformative power of art in imbuing ordinary elements with heightened meaning and encouraging a more thoughtful engagement with the text.
Q5. Explore the theme of artistic innovation in "Art as Technique" by Viktor Shklovsky. How does Shklovsky argue for the role of innovation in literature and art, and what impact does it have on the audience's engagement?
Answer: Viktor Shklovsky emphasizes the theme of artistic innovation as a central aspect of "Art as Technique." According to Shklovsky, the primary purpose of art is to break free from routine perception, and innovation is the means by which this is achieved. He argues that writers should continually seek new ways to express their ideas, avoiding clichés and conventional forms. Through the use of innovative techniques, such as defamiliarization and foregrounding, artists create a sense of novelty that challenges the audience's expectations. Shklovsky believes that this continual innovation is essential for preventing the stagnation of artistic expression and for keeping the audience actively engaged. By presenting familiar elements in new and unexpected ways, artists provoke a reevaluation of the ordinary, fostering a dynamic and intellectually stimulating relationship between the work and its audience.
Q6. Analyze Viktor Shklovsky's concept of "ostranenie" (defamiliarization) in the context of literature. How does this concept challenge traditional modes of storytelling, and what impact does it have on the reader's experience?
Answer: Viktor Shklovsky's concept of "ostranenie" or defamiliarization challenges traditional storytelling by urging writers to present familiar elements in an unfamiliar way. This intentional deviation from conventional narrative forms disrupts automatic perception, forcing readers to actively engage with the text. By making the ordinary seem strange, defamiliarization prompts a reevaluation of the familiar, encouraging a deeper and more conscious interaction with the narrative. Shklovsky believes that this process is essential for art to fulfill its purpose of invigorating perception and thought. For example, in "Art as Technique," Shklovsky discusses Tolstoy's use of defamiliarization in "The Kreutzer Sonata," where the author's narrative choices contribute to a heightened and reflective reading experience.
Q7. Elaborate on Shklovsky's views regarding the role of art in shaping our understanding of reality. How does he argue that art contributes to a more profound engagement with the world?
Answer: Viktor Shklovsky argues in "Art as Technique" that art serves a crucial role in shaping our understanding of reality by defamiliarizing the commonplace. According to Shklovsky, routine perception leads to automatic and passive engagement with the world, dulling our sensitivity. Art disrupts this automatism by presenting familiar elements in a way that challenges our preconceptions. By estranging the familiar, art prompts a reconsideration of reality, encouraging a more profound and thoughtful engagement with the world. Shklovsky contends that art's ability to make the ordinary appear strange is essential for preventing the numbing effect of routine perception. Through defamiliarization, art contributes to a richer and more conscious apprehension of the complexities of reality.
Q8. Discuss Shklovsky's critique of utilitarian language and its impact on perception. How does he propose that art, through its use of language, can counteract the numbing effect of habitual communication?
Q8. Discuss Shklovsky's critique of utilitarian language and its impact on perception. How does he propose that art, through its use of language, can counteract the numbing effect of habitual communication?
Answer: Viktor Shklovsky criticizes utilitarian language in "Art as Technique" for contributing to automatic perception and a numbing effect on the senses. According to Shklovsky, everyday language is often used for efficient communication, leading to a lack of attentiveness to the nuances of experience. Art, through its use of language, counters this numbing effect by employing linguistic devices that defamiliarize the familiar. Shklovsky argues that metaphors, similes, and other figurative language disrupt habitual communication, forcing the audience to see language and the world in a new light. For example, he points to the poetic language in Pasternak's works as a means of defamiliarizing common expressions. Shklovsky contends that the intentional use of language in art serves to invigorate perception, preventing the stagnation that can result from the routine use of utilitarian language.
Q9. Assess the role of memory in Shklovsky's concept of defamiliarization. How does he argue that the process of making things strange relates to the human capacity for memory, and what implications does this have for the perception of art?
Q9. Assess the role of memory in Shklovsky's concept of defamiliarization. How does he argue that the process of making things strange relates to the human capacity for memory, and what implications does this have for the perception of art?
Answer: Shklovsky's concept of defamiliarization in "Art as Technique" is intricately connected to the role of memory. He argues that routine perception results in a kind of "automatization" where experiences become habitual and are easily forgotten. Defamiliarization disrupts this process by requiring the audience to actively engage with the material, preventing it from slipping into automatic perception. Shklovsky suggests that the act of making things strange involves a conscious effort to remember and actively process information. This intentional engagement with memory not only invigorates perception but also underscores the importance of memory in shaping our understanding and appreciation of art. The process of defamiliarization, therefore, relies on the human capacity for memory, emphasizing its significance in the perception of art.
Q10. Discuss Shklovsky's views on the autonomy of art. How does he argue that art serves its own purposes distinct from everyday communication, and what implications does this autonomy have for the artistic process?
Answer: Shklovsky advocates for the autonomy of art in "Art as Technique," emphasizing that art serves its own distinct purposes beyond everyday communication. He argues that art's primary function is not to convey information efficiently but to defamiliarize the familiar, challenging routine perception. This autonomy allows art to pursue its unique goals of invigorating thought and perception. Shklovsky contends that art's separation from utilitarian communication is crucial for its ability to disrupt automatic perception and engage the audience in a more profound and meaningful way. The implications of this autonomy are reflected in the artistic process, where form and language are deliberately manipulated to serve the specific goals of defamiliarization and aesthetic impact.
