New formalisms and literary theory New Formalisms and Literary Theory examines the political motivations of a return to formalism. Together with our contributors we want to propose and challenge the conception of New Formalism as an extension of contextual readings and as a mere return to aesthetic readings. The essays gathered here encourage reflection upon New Formalisms points of intersection with other theoretical approaches and demand a reinstatement of form as the critics central focus form that is as it reflects a cultures creative imagination and historicizes itself within and against a politically charged background