This article analyzes the two conceptions of literary evolution that emerged from the meetings subsequent to the lecture given by Tynjanov before the Prague Linguistic Circle in December 1928. At the time, he was engaged in reformulating the formal method. To do this, he began to use the notion of function, his attention thus passing from expression to sense. Function, in Tynjanov’s usage, is a logical notion. It rejects the other meaning of the term, that of a relation of goal or of an aim intentionally realized by an element of the system. In effect, for the Russian formalists intention is a concept that dangerously reintroduces subjective consciousness. As for the Prague School, it sought to reformulate the study of literary history by taking account of the esthetic nature of the literary work. From this it results not only that the notion of function which affects the understanding of a work as a specific type of communication as well as the overall conception of literary history must be redefined.