Historicising the Realism Controversy: Lukács, Russian Formalism, and the Two Models of Modern Narrative Form

This article examines Russian Formalist theories of prose alongside Lukács’ theories of the novel and realism, emphasising their pivotal roles in shaping 20th-century debates about the theoretical status of realism. Building on Galin Tihanov’s concept of “regimes of relevance” and David E. Wellbery’s distinction between the endogenous and constructivist concepts of form, the article highlights the need to address the radical shift in narrative form at the beginning of the 20th century. While both Lukács and the Russian Formalists emphasise the deep connection between theoretical and historical perspectives, their dualistic approaches to the modernisation of form fail to account for this significant transition. As a result, both theories struggle to theorise works that align with the opposing model. The article concludes by advocating for a pluralistic theory of literary form that accommodates not only the transition between premodern and modern literature but also the historical evolution of narrative literature within modernity.