Film, Media & TV0 min ago
Do Any 'ordinary' Artists, Writers, Poets, Come To Mind?
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Most British writers (mainly the men) seem to have been awful husbands or partners, deserting them, having them locked up in asylums, whatever. None (if any) led 'ordinary' lives - caring for their families, loving their wives or children, etc.
Did ANY of them lead ordinary lives, and just happen to write?
BB
Did ANY of them lead ordinary lives, and just happen to write?
BB
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For more on marking an answer as the "Best Answer", please visit our FAQ.No, nonsense (if the cap fits)...
It stems from re-reading the Love Song of J Alfred Prufrock and wondering how a man can behave so meanly and yet write so exquisitely. Not a new question but one that must be asked, again.
And the ‘standards of their time’ argument has long struck me as weak. Did ALL middle-class male Victorians behave like Dickens? Of course not.
It stems from re-reading the Love Song of J Alfred Prufrock and wondering how a man can behave so meanly and yet write so exquisitely. Not a new question but one that must be asked, again.
And the ‘standards of their time’ argument has long struck me as weak. Did ALL middle-class male Victorians behave like Dickens? Of course not.
No, no correlation between behaviour and ability; I’m questioning our attitude, our responses, to (say) Elliot once you know about Mrs Elliot.
Can you really divorce one from the other and say (a) what a brilliant poet he was and (b) what a thorough $h!t he was?
All I can come up with is “He was a thorough $h!t who wrote brilliant poetry.”
BB
Can you really divorce one from the other and say (a) what a brilliant poet he was and (b) what a thorough $h!t he was?
All I can come up with is “He was a thorough $h!t who wrote brilliant poetry.”
BB
AA Milne and Kenneth Grahame produced Winnie the Pooh and Wind in the Willows for their children, which was nice - though as it turned out both children were miserable about it.
But I think writing is an erratic trade that can't easily be confined to 40-hour weeks; so a man can't necessarily be an ideal father as well as a great artist. "There is no more sombre enemy of good art than the pram in the hall."
William Blake and his wife were famously in love. So were Robert Browning and Elizabeth Barrett. On the other hand, friends said it was for the best that Thomas and Jane Carlyle married, because otherwise four people would have been unhappy instead of just two.
But I think writing is an erratic trade that can't easily be confined to 40-hour weeks; so a man can't necessarily be an ideal father as well as a great artist. "There is no more sombre enemy of good art than the pram in the hall."
William Blake and his wife were famously in love. So were Robert Browning and Elizabeth Barrett. On the other hand, friends said it was for the best that Thomas and Jane Carlyle married, because otherwise four people would have been unhappy instead of just two.
I believe that living with the creativity needed to become a successful artist - in any field of the arts - can be difficult for a variety of reasons.
Success beings adoration, and a lot of artists don't take well to being adored, it brings out the worst in them.
That said, I am sure that there are many many artists who live perfectly 'ordinary' lives - it's simply that such ordinariness is not something that interests the public. That means that bad behaviour is what gets reported, and can give a skewed impression of artists as a whole.
Success beings adoration, and a lot of artists don't take well to being adored, it brings out the worst in them.
That said, I am sure that there are many many artists who live perfectly 'ordinary' lives - it's simply that such ordinariness is not something that interests the public. That means that bad behaviour is what gets reported, and can give a skewed impression of artists as a whole.
bainbrig - // Can you really divorce one from the other and say (a) what a brilliant poet he was and (b) what a thorough $h!t he was? //
In my view, you absolutely can, yes.
I am a passionate advocate of the seperation of the art from the artist - it stops me not enjoying art from somone whose art I like, even though they may be a dreadful human being.
I don't believe that one detracts from the other, although I know that others don't think that way - the present Mrs Hughes is one, her recent enjoyment of a Who concert was tainted by her memory of the off-stage activities of Pete Townsend.
In my view, you absolutely can, yes.
I am a passionate advocate of the seperation of the art from the artist - it stops me not enjoying art from somone whose art I like, even though they may be a dreadful human being.
I don't believe that one detracts from the other, although I know that others don't think that way - the present Mrs Hughes is one, her recent enjoyment of a Who concert was tainted by her memory of the off-stage activities of Pete Townsend.
woofgang - // Andy I see Mrs Hughes point. I really dislike to think that I am supporting anyone whose behaviour disgusts me. So I wouldn't purchase anything where they would receive royalties for instance. //
This where we differ.
If I thought denying myself the enjoyment of a piece of art because of the behaviour of the artist would in any way cause the artist to think about their behaviour, or actually change it, I would deny myself in a heartbeat.
But the simple fact is, my denial would be unknown to the artist, and have no effect whatsoever, except for me, denying myself the art.
That to my mind would be a pointless gesture, although I completely accept that you will not agree, and I have no problem with that as a position.
This where we differ.
If I thought denying myself the enjoyment of a piece of art because of the behaviour of the artist would in any way cause the artist to think about their behaviour, or actually change it, I would deny myself in a heartbeat.
But the simple fact is, my denial would be unknown to the artist, and have no effect whatsoever, except for me, denying myself the art.
That to my mind would be a pointless gesture, although I completely accept that you will not agree, and I have no problem with that as a position.
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