“Art as Technique” by Victor Shklovsky: Summary and Critique

Introduction: “Art as Technique” by Victor Shklovsky

“Art as Technique” by Victor Shklovsky, first appeared in the 1917 collection A Theory of Prose, introduces the concept of “defamiliarization,” arguing that art’s primary function is to disrupt habitual perception and force viewers or readers to see the world anew. Shklovsky’s ideas had a profound impact on literary theory, inspiring movements like Russian Formalism and influencing subsequent critical and artistic endeavors. His emphasis on form and technique over content shifted the focus of literary analysis, laying the groundwork for a more formalist approach to understanding and appreciating literature.

Summary of “Art as Technique” by Victor Shklovsky

Literary Terms/Concepts in “Art as Technique” by Victor Shklovsky

Term	Definition
Defamiliarization	A technique used to make the familiar unfamiliar, forcing the reader to perceive the world in a new way.
Automatism of Perception	The habitual and unconscious way of perceiving the world.
Imagery	The use of vivid language to create images in the reader’s mind.
Poetic Imagery	Imagery used to create a strong emotional impact.
Prosaic Imagery	Imagery used for practical purposes, such as categorization.
Parallelism	The use of similar grammatical structures or sounds to create a sense of balance and rhythm.
Psychological Parallelism	A form of parallelism that creates a sense of disharmony within a harmonious context.

Contribution of “Art as Technique” by Victor Shklovsky to Literary Theory/Theories

• Introduction of Defamiliarization (Ostranenie):
  Shklovsky introduced the concept of “defamiliarization,” arguing that art’s purpose is to make the familiar strange, thereby renewing our perception of everyday objects and experiences. This concept became a cornerstone of Russian Formalism and influenced subsequent literary theories.
• Focus on the Form of the Text:
  Shklovsky emphasized the importance of the form of a text over its content. He argued that literature’s uniqueness lies in its formal devices and techniques, which distinguish it from ordinary language and communication.
• Art as a Technique Rather Than an Expression:
  Shklovsky shifted the focus from the notion of art as an expression of the author’s emotions to art as a craft or technique. He posited that the effectiveness of a literary work depends on its ability to disrupt habitual perception through innovative techniques.
• Impact on Russian Formalism:
  “Art as Technique” became foundational to Russian Formalism, a movement that analyzed literary texts by focusing on their formal elements rather than their historical or biographical context. Shklovsky’s ideas influenced scholars like Roman Jakobson and others in the Formalist movement.
• Influence on Structuralism and Beyond:
  Shklovsky’s emphasis on the formal aspects of literature anticipated the development of Structuralism and later post-structuralist theories, which continued to explore the relationship between language, form, and meaning.
• Rejection of Symbolism and Psychologism:
  Shklovsky challenged Symbolism and Psychologism by arguing that literature should not be reduced to a reflection of the author’s psyche or symbolic meanings. Instead, it should be analyzed based on its formal construction and techniques.

Examples of Critiques Through “Art as Technique” by Victor Shklovsky

Literary Work	Author	Defamiliarization Techniques	Critique through Shklovsky
Ulysses	James Joyce	Stream of consciousness, fragmentation, wordplay, mythologization	Joyce masterfully employs defamiliarization to disrupt linear narrative and force readers to actively engage with the text, prolonging perception and creating a “vision” of Dublin.
In Search of Lost Time	Marcel Proust	Remembrance, introspection, time dilation	Proust’s exploration of memory and time, using techniques like flashbacks and detailed sensory descriptions, defamiliarizes the concept of time, offering a new perspective on human experience.
Metamorphosis	Franz Kafka	Absurdity, alienation, grotesque imagery	Kafka’s transformation of Gregor Samsa into a cockroach is a stark example of defamiliarization, forcing readers to confront the unfamiliar and question the nature of humanity.
One Hundred Years of Solitude	Gabriel Garcia Marquez	Magical realism, nonlinear narrative, cyclical time	Marquez’s blend of magical and realistic elements disrupts conventional storytelling, creating a unique perspective on history and family. The novel’s cyclical structure also challenges linear time perception.

Criticism Against “Art as Technique” by Victor Shklovsky

• Overemphasis on Form Over Content:
  Critics argue that Shklovsky’s focus on form and technique downplays the importance of content and meaning in literature. By privileging how something is said over what is said, the richness of thematic exploration and the emotional resonance of a text can be diminished.
• Neglect of Historical and Social Context:
  Shklovsky’s approach, rooted in Russian Formalism, largely ignores the historical and social contexts in which literary works are produced. Critics suggest that understanding the context is crucial for fully appreciating a text’s significance and impact.
• Reduction of Literature to Technique:
  Shklovsky’s concept of “defamiliarization” and the emphasis on literary devices may reduce the complexity of literature to mere technical manipulation. This perspective can overlook the multifaceted nature of literature, including its ethical, philosophical, and political dimensions.
• Limited Application Beyond Russian Formalism:
  While Shklovsky’s ideas were influential within Russian Formalism, some critics argue that his theories have limited applicability outside this specific theoretical framework. The emphasis on form and technique may not resonate with or fully explain other literary traditions and movements.
• Potential for Elitism:
  The focus on defamiliarization and the sophisticated manipulation of form could be seen as creating a barrier between literature and a general audience. This can lead to an elitist view of art, where only those with specialized knowledge can appreciate the “true” value of a literary work.
• Inadequate Consideration of Reader Response:
  Shklovsky’s theories do not account for the reader’s role in interpreting and experiencing a text. Critics argue that this oversight fails to acknowledge the active engagement of readers in making meaning, which is central to many modern literary theories.

Suggested Readings: “Art as Technique” by Victor Shklovsky

1. Lemon, Lee T., and Marion J. Reis, eds. Formalist Criticism: Four Essays. University of Nebraska Press, 1965.
2. Erlich, Victor. Russian Formalism. Yale University Press, 1965.
3. Eagleton, Terry. Theory of Literature. University of Minnesota Press, 1983.
4. Gunn, Daniel P. “Making Art Strange: A Commentary on Defamiliarization.” The Georgia Review, vol. 38, no. 1, 1984, pp. 25–33. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/41398624. Accessed 11 Aug. 2024.
5. McManmon, John J. “Formalism, Structuralism, Poststructuralism, and Text.” Christianity and Literature, vol. 40, no. 1, 1990, pp. 57–67. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/44311872. Accessed 11 Aug. 2024.
6. Bogdanov, Alexei. “Ostranenie, Kenosis, and Dialogue: The Metaphysics of Formalism According to Shklovsky.” The Slavic and East European Journal, vol. 49, no. 1, 2005, pp. 48–62. JSTOR, https://doi.org/10.2307/20058220. Accessed 11 Aug. 2024.

Representative Quotations from “Art as Technique” by Victor Shklovsky with Explanation

Quotation	Explanation
“The purpose of art is to impart the sensation of things as they are perceived and not as they are known.”	Shklovsky argues that art’s role is to make us see the world anew by disrupting our automatic, habitual perceptions. This aligns with his concept of “defamiliarization,” where art makes the familiar strange and forces us to reconsider our everyday experiences.
“Art is a way of experiencing the artfulness of an object; the object is not important.”	This statement emphasizes Shklovsky’s belief that the value of art lies not in the object or content itself, but in the way art allows us to experience it differently. The technique used to present the object is what matters, not the object per se.
“The technique of art is to make objects ‘unfamiliar,’ to make forms difficult, to increase the difficulty and length of perception.”	Shklovsky is advocating for a technique in literature that slows down the process of perception, making readers more aware of the text’s form and structure. This difficulty forces readers to engage more deeply with the work, rather than passively consuming it.
“Automatization eats things, clothes, furniture, your wife, and the fear of war.”	Here, Shklovsky is critiquing how habitual perception (“automatization”) causes people to overlook the true nature of things, making them invisible in a sense. Art counters this by breaking through automatization and renewing our awareness.
“The process of ‘algebrization,’ the over-automatization of an object, permits the greatest economy of perceptive effort.”	Shklovsky suggests that over time, our perception of objects and experiences becomes simplified and formulaic (algebrized), reducing the effort needed to understand them. Art disrupts this process by complicating perception, requiring more effort and attention.