Aestheticism in Literature

Introduction: Aestheticism in Literature

Aestheticism in literature, a prominent movement of the 19th century, championed the intrinsic value of beauty and sensory experience within artistic and literary works. Rejecting the conventional moral and didactic expectations of its era, Aestheticism celebrated art for art’s sake, prioritizing the pursuit of aesthetic pleasure and the cultivation of sensory richness.

Influenced by figures such as Oscar Wilde and Walter Pater, this movement emphasized the autonomy of art, symbolist aesthetics, and a critique of prevailing moral values. By accentuating the importance of beauty, sensuality, and formal elements, Aestheticism left an indelible mark on literary discourse, challenging traditional norms and fostering a deeper appreciation for the aesthetic dimensions of human expression.

Principals of Aestheticism in Literature

Principal	Explanation	Example
Art for Art’s Sake	Aestheticism advocates creating and appreciating literature purely for its aesthetic pleasure, divorced from didactic or moral purposes.	Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray is a prime example of art created solely for its aesthetic appeal.
Emphasis on Intrinsic Beauty	Aestheticism in literature prioritizes the intrinsic beauty of literary works, valuing aesthetics as an end in itself.	The lyrical prose in Marcel Proust’s In Search of Lost Time showcases an emphasis on intrinsic beauty.
Sensory Enrichment	Aesthetic literature explores sensory experiences, engaging readers through vivid descriptions of sights, sounds, and emotions.	The sensory-rich descriptions of nature in John Keats’ poetry immerse readers in sensory experiences.
Autonomy of Art	Aestheticism asserts that literature should be evaluated on its artistic merits alone, independent of utilitarian or ethical considerations.	Edgar Allan Poe’s dark and mysterious tales, like The Tell-Tale Heart, prioritize artistic expression over morality.
Symbolism and Metaphor	Aestheticism in literature often employs symbolism and metaphor to enhance the aesthetic experience, inviting readers to interpret deeper meanings.	In F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby, the green light symbolizes the unattainable American Dream.
Challenge to Conventional Morality	Aesthetic works may challenge prevailing moral values, portraying characters who defy societal norms to explore the boundaries of aesthetics and ethics.	The protagonist’s hedonistic pursuits in Albert Camus’ The Stranger challenge conventional morality.
Exploration of Decadence	Aestheticism in literature celebrates themes of decadence, indulgence, luxury, and sensuality as valid and meaningful aspects of life and art.	Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray explores the allure and consequences of decadent living.
Formalistic Approach	Aestheticism aligns with formalism in literary theory, emphasizing style, structure, and language as integral to artistic expression.	T.S. Eliot’s modernist poem The Waste Land exemplifies a formalistic approach to literature.
Artistic Individualism	Aestheticism encourages artistic individualism, fostering a sense of creative freedom and self-expression.	Virginia Woolf’s stream-of-consciousness narrative in Mrs. Dalloway reflects artistic individualism.
Critique of Philistinism	Aestheticism in literature often criticizes philistinism, or a lack of appreciation for the arts and culture, emphasizing the importance of cultivating aesthetic sensibilities.	The satire in Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn critiques societal philistinism.

Criticism Against Aestheticism in Literature

1. Lack of Moral Substance: Detractors argue that Aestheticism’s emphasis on art for art’s sake can lead to a lack of moral or ethical substance in literature, potentially promoting superficiality and amorality.
2. Elitism and Inaccessibility: Critics contend that Aestheticism in literature, with its focus on sensory experiences and symbolism, can alienate a broader readership, making literature less accessible to the general public.
3. Neglect of Societal Issues: Aestheticism’s preoccupation with beauty and formalism is seen by some as a retreat from addressing important societal issues, such as social injustices and political concerns.
4. Indulgence in Decadence: Detractors argue that Aestheticism’s celebration of decadence and hedonism may glamorize self-destructive behaviors and undermine the moral fabric of society.
5. Artistic Self-Indulgence: Critics suggest that Aestheticism can foster artistic self-indulgence, where writers prioritize their own creative expression over connecting with readers or addressing meaningful themes.
6. Shallow or Ornamental Writing: Some contend that Aestheticism in literature may result in overly ornamental and stylistically dense prose, potentially obscuring the clarity and substance of literary works.
7. Detachment from Reality: Critics assert that an excessive focus on aesthetic pleasure can lead to a detachment from the real world and its complexities, limiting literature’s ability to engage with lived experiences.
8. Overemphasis on Form: Detractors argue that Aestheticism’s formalistic approach may overshadow the importance of content and storytelling, leading to works that prioritize style over substance.
9. Cultural Insularity: Some criticize Aestheticism in literature for its perceived cultural insularity, suggesting that it may isolate literature from broader cultural, social, and historical contexts.
10. Rejection of Didacticism: Critics contend that Aestheticism’s rejection of didactic or moral messages in literature may overlook the valuable role of literature in conveying important life lessons and ethical considerations.

Examples of Aestheticism in Literature

1. The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt (2013):
   • Aesthetic Embrace of Art: The novel centers around a stolen masterpiece, “The Goldfinch” by Carel Fabritius, and its intrinsic beauty becomes a central motif. The protagonist, Theo, develops a profound attachment to this painting, emphasizing the importance of art for art’s sake.
2. All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr (2014):
   • Sensory Richness: This Pulitzer Prize-winning novel is celebrated for its vivid sensory descriptions. It immerses readers in the sensory experiences of its characters, particularly a blind French girl and a German boy during World War II, highlighting Aestheticism’s focus on sensory enrichment in literature.
3. The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern (2011):
   • Emphasis on Intrinsic Beauty: The novel revolves around a magical, enchanting circus that appears only at night. The circus itself is portrayed as a masterpiece of beauty and enchantment, embodying the Aestheticism principle of valuing intrinsic beauty within literary works.
4. The Secret History by Donna Tartt (1992):
   • Challenge to Conventional Morality: While not a recent novel, Donna Tartt’s “The Secret History” remains a prominent example of Aestheticism. The story involves a group of students who indulge in decadence and amorality while studying Greek classics, challenging conventional moral values in literature.

These novels from the 21st century exhibit elements of Aestheticism, emphasizing beauty, sensory experiences, and artistic autonomy in their storytelling.

Keywords in Aestheticism in Literature

1. Art for Art’s Sake: Aestheticism principle advocating that art should be created and appreciated solely for its aesthetic qualities, without serving didactic, moral, or utilitarian purposes.
2. Intrinsic Beauty: The emphasis on the inherent, aesthetic qualities within a work of literature, valuing beauty as an end in itself rather than a means to convey a message.
3. Sensory Experience: The exploration of sensory perceptions, such as sight, sound, and emotions, within literary works to create a rich and immersive aesthetic experience for readers.
4. Autonomy of Art: The belief that literature should be evaluated based on its artistic merits and should remain independent of external influences, such as societal norms or moral judgments.
5. Symbolism and Metaphor: The use of symbols and metaphors in literature to evoke deeper emotional and sensory responses in readers, often enhancing the overall aesthetic impact of the work.
6. Decadence: The celebration of indulgence, luxury, sensuality, and often unconventional behavior as valid and meaningful aspects of life and art within literary works.
7. Formalism: A literary theory aligned with Aestheticism, focusing on the formal elements of literature, including style, structure, and language, to convey aesthetic intentions.
8. Artistic Individualism: The encouragement of creative freedom and self-expression among artists and writers, allowing them to pursue their unique artistic visions.
9. Critique of Conventional Morality: The challenge to prevailing moral values within literature, often through the portrayal of characters who defy societal norms or engage in unconventional behavior to explore the boundaries of aesthetics and ethics.
10. Escapism: The use of literature as a means to escape the constraints of everyday life, allowing readers to immerse themselves in worlds of heightened beauty and imagination, offering respite from reality.

Suggested Readings

1. Pater, Walter. The Renaissance: Studies in Art and Poetry. Oxford University Press, 1986.
2. Wilde, Oscar. The Picture of Dorian Gray. Oxford University Press, 2006.
3. Wilde, Oscar. The Critic As Artist. In Intentions. Oxford University Press, 2008.
4. Wilde, Oscar. De Profundis. Penguin Classics, 2003.
5. Wilde, Oscar. The Artist as Critic: Critical Writings of Oscar Wilde. Edited by Richard Ellmann, Random House, 1970.
6. Beatty, Jonathan. The Victorians and the Eighteenth Century: Reassessing the Tradition. Cambridge University Press, 2019.
7. Frisby, David. Fiction and the Languages of Law: Understanding Contemporary Legal Discourse. Bloomsbury Academic, 2019.
8. Galperin, William H. The Historical Austen. University of Pennsylvania Press, 2003.