Here's why:
* Formalism focuses on the internal elements of a literary work, such as:
* Structure: How the story is organized, the plot, the setting, the characters.
* Language: The specific words, phrases, and literary devices used.
* Imagery: The use of sensory details to create vivid pictures in the reader's mind.
* Theme: The central idea or message of the work.
* Formalism aims to understand how these elements work together to create meaning and effect in the text.
Other aspects of literary criticism, like historical criticism, biographical criticism, or reader-response criticism, would look at different factors:
* Historical criticism: How the text reflects the time period in which it was written.
* Biographical criticism: How the author's life experiences influenced the text.
* Reader-response criticism: How the reader's personal experiences and perspectives shape their understanding of the text.
In short, formalism is the critical approach that analyzes an author's techniques and style to understand the text's internal workings.