Read the passage below and answer the question.
Many of G. K. Chesterton’s writings are a defense of Christianity against its critics. Known as "the Apostle of Common Sense," Chesterton wielded his favorite weapon, paradox, to devastating effect. His seemingly contradictory statements make timeless truths sound not only fresh but inevitably true, as in this example: "The paradox of courage is that a man must be a little careless of his life even in order to keep it.
Why is this passage an example of the formalist approach to literary criticism?
because it explores how the author’s life influenced his work
because it requires a close reading of the author’s language
because it traces the influence of earlier authors on this work
because the author’s contradictions are easily grasped by the reader
