Formalism · English Literature

The concept of 'Affective Fallacy' warns against evaluating a poem based on:

  1. The logical consistency of its metaphors
  2. Its emotional impact on the reader
  3. The social and political context of its production
  4. The rhythmic patterns of its meter
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Correct answer: Its emotional impact on the reader

Wimsatt and Beardsley argued that focusing on the reader's emotional response leads to impressionism and relativism. Like the Intentional Fallacy, this concept seeks to preserve the poem as an objective, autonomous artifact.

Difficulty: Medium Question 10 of 20

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