Final answer:
Formalism is the literary criticism school that disregards the author's biography and instead focuses on the literary elements and their interplay within the text.
Step-by-step explanation:
The type of criticism that ignores the author's biography and focuses solely on the interaction of literary elements within the text is Formalism. Formalism, also known as New Criticism, concentrates on the text's use of imagery, metaphor, symbolism, and other elements of form and style. It operates under the premise that meaning is found within the text itself, without the need for external context such as the author's life or the socio-political circumstances surrounding the work's creation.
Formalism, synonymous with New Criticism, represents a critical approach that disregards the author's biography and emphasizes the intrinsic interaction of literary elements within the text. This method of analysis, rooted in the early to mid-20th century, delves into the structural and stylistic aspects of a work, focusing on elements like imagery, metaphor, and symbolism. Formalism operates on the foundational belief that meaning is self-contained within the text, and interpretations should not rely on external factors such as the author's life or the socio-political context of the work's creation. By concentrating on the internal coherence and artistry of the text itself, Formalism encourages a close examination of language and form to discern meaning, fostering a more objective and self-contained understanding of literary works. This approach highlights the autonomy of the literary work, distinct from external influences.