“ Therefore art, being its own motive, must not be considered an expedient. ”
Gustave Flaubert, Bouvard et Pécuchet (1881). copy citation
Author | Gustave Flaubert |
---|---|
Source | Bouvard et Pécuchet |
Topic | art motive |
Date | 1881 |
Language | English |
Reference | |
Note | |
Weblink | https://www.gutenberg.org/files/46909/46909-h/46909-h.htm |
Context
““All the intellectual beauties and details of a tale (if it is well written) are so many useful facts, and are perhaps more precious to the public mind than the main points that make up the subject.”—Buffon.
Therefore art, being its own motive, must not be considered an expedient. No matter how much genius we might use in the development of a story used as an example, another might prove the contrary. A climax is not a conclusion. We must not infer generalities from one particular case;”
source