"Thematics" by Boris Tomashevsky - Chapter Summary
Tomashevsky, Boris. "Thematics." Russian Formalist Criticism: Four Essays . Comp. Lee T. Lemon and Marion J. Reis. Lincoln: University of Nebraska, 1965. 62-95. Print. About Tomashevsky Tomashevsky is a Formalist. (From Wikipedia: In literary theory , formalism refers to critical approaches that analyze, interpret, or evaluate the inherent features of a text. The formalist approach reduces the importance of a text’s historical, biographical, and cultural context.) Introduction to Tomashevsky's Approach The introduction to “Thematics” by Tomashevsky states that Tomashevsky’s essay is a proposal of how to analyze a narrative. A narrative must have a theme and enlist the readers’ emotions. Tomashevsky makes a distinction between Plot and Story. Tomashevsky deals with many aspects of narrative, including motif and how to distinguish between those which are and aren’t necessary to the action. He explores the parts of narratives and their purpose. “The motif-