Defamiliarization, known in Russian Formalism as "Ostranenie" (making strange or unfamiliar), is a fundamental concept that revolutionized the approach to perceiving and understanding literary works. This principle proposes that the role of art is to make the familiar seem unfamiliar, to disrupt habitual perception, and to provoke a fresh way of seeing the world.
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Concept of "Ostranenie": Making the familiar unfamiliar
The idea behind defamiliarization is to present everyday objects, events, or language in a way that challenges automatic perception. By disrupting habitual cognition, the reader is prompted to reexamine and engage with the text more actively. This estrangement or defamiliarization sparks a heightened awareness, encouraging a deeper contemplation of the subject matter.
Techniques to defamiliarize language and perception
Literary techniques such as poetic language, unusual metaphors, innovative narrative structures, and experimental forms are employed to defamiliarize language and perception. These methods aim to break the automatism of perception, forcing the reader to pause, reconsider, and experience the text in a new light.
Impact on reader engagement and artistic perception
Defamiliarization stimulates reader engagement by inviting active interpretation and interpretation rather than passive consumption. By challenging the familiar, this technique fosters a more profound artistic experience, enabling readers to appreciate the aesthetic and emotional depth of a work.
💡 Defamiliarization, as a cornerstone of Russian Formalism, profoundly influenced the way readers interact with literature and challenged traditional notions of artistic representation by encouraging a fresh perspective on the ordinary.
Example of Defamiliarization
Defamiliarization in Shakespeare's "Hamlet" can be exemplified through the famous soliloquy uttered by the titular character in Act 3, Scene 1: "To be, or not to be." Imagine this renowned soliloquy recast in a contemporary setting, transformed into a dialogue in a mundane, everyday scenario:
Original Text (Shakespeare's "Hamlet"):
"To be, or not to be: that is the question:
Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer
The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune,
Or to take arms against a sea of troubles
And by opposing end them."
Defamiliarized Contemporary Version:
"To exist, or not to exist — that's the dilemma:
Is it better to endure the hardships life throws our way,
Or to stand up and fight against an overwhelming tide of problems,
And by resisting, put an end to them."
Explanation for Defamiliarization
In this example, the transformation of Shakespeare's original lines from "To be, or not to be" into a contemporary form aimed to defamiliarize the language and adapt it to a more relatable context. The intention is to present the classic soliloquy in a way that modern audiences can grasp more readily, using everyday language and concepts.
The essence of the existential dilemma faced by Hamlet remains intact, highlighting the choice between enduring life's challenges passively or actively confronting them. By rephrasing the lines with contemporary language and a more accessible tone, it aims to provoke a new way of perceiving and engaging with the profound themes of life, existence, and mortality that Shakespeare originally explored in the soliloquy.
💡This adaptation seeks to defamiliarize the familiar words of Shakespeare's classic text, inviting a fresh perspective and encouraging readers, even those unfamiliar with "Hamlet," to contemplate the universal human quandary of existence versus non-existence in a relatable manner.
FAQs
Who introduced the concept of defamiliarization?
The concept of defamiliarization was introduced by Viktor Shklovsky, a pioneering figure in Russian Formalism, through his influential essay "Art as Technique" published in 1917.
What is defamiliarization in Russian formalism?
Defamiliarization in Russian Formalism refers to the technique of presenting familiar or ordinary things in a way that challenges habitual perception, aiming to make them appear unfamiliar or strange. This method prompts readers to engage more actively with the text, fostering a fresh perspective on the ordinary and encouraging deeper contemplation and appreciation of artistic expression.
What is an example of defamiliarization in literature?
In Franz Kafka's "Metamorphosis," the sudden transformation of Gregor Samsa into a gigantic insect is an example of defamiliarization in literature. This unexpected and fantastical event disrupts the ordinary and familiar, challenging readers' perceptions and prompting contemplation on themes of alienation and the human condition through an unconventional lens.
