The man who reacts to the universe with a cry of impotent anguish is acceptable as an artist only if he can persuade us that he has sanely considered the other possible reactions and found them inadequate.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- An artist expressing anguish is only acceptable if they show they've considered other responses.
- In plain terms
- To be taken seriously, an artist must show they've thought about other options.
- What can you take from it?
- Artistic validity requires thoughtful consideration.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Does art need justification?
- Is emotion enough?
Another view
Some valid art comes from pure emotion without analysis.
More from Kenneth Tynan
We shall be judged by what we do, not by how we felt while we were doing it.
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