the aesthetic movement Flashcards
what did Englad see in the early 19th century
romantics embracing nature as an alternative to industry, which was very prominent at that time
just after the middle of the 19th century, what emerged
•the aesthetic movement
•members believed in the motto “Art for art’s sake.”
the victorians value art that…
•supported a useful social cause or that carried a moral message
•for aesthetics, beauty was enough in itself
wilde was strongly influenced by the movement.
•he knew people like art critic Walter Pater, who helped shape the movement in britain
•Pater heavily influenced wilde and wilde to the critics book on the renaissance with him when he traveled. he even went so far as to memorize sections of the volume
in chapter 2, lord henry wotton gives what speech to dorian
•in basils garden, he gives a speech that changes Dorian forever by awakening him to the power and importance of his own beauty
•”And beauty is a form of genius- is higher, indeed, than genius, as it needs no explanation. It is one of the great facts of the world, like sunlight.”
this is an unflinching celebration of sensual beauty, however
wilde follows this by showing Dorian living this philosophy and running many lives in the process
