Skip to content

The artist is to be exempt from the moral laws that are…

“The artist is to be exempt from the moral laws that are binding on ordinary people. Just pronounce the magic word "Art," and everything is O.K. Rotting corpses with snails crawling over them are O.K.; kicking little girls in the head is O.K.; even a film like L'Age d'Or is O.K.” quote by George Orwell
Download Open image
“The artist is to be exempt from the moral laws that are binding on ordinary people. Just pronounce the magic word "Art," and everything is O.K. Rotting corpses with snails crawling over them are O.K.; kicking little girls in the head is O.K.; even a film like L'Age d'Or is O.K.”

George Orwell

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Art is portrayed as a domain exempt from ordinary moral constraints, allowing extreme depictions.

In simple terms: Art can ignore normal moral rules.

Key Takeaway

Consider ethical limits in artistic expression.

Themes

ethics art morality

Mood

critical analytical

Type

essay philosophical

When to use this quote

  • public debate
  • art criticism
  • education

Key Concepts

freedom transgression censorship

Questions to Reflect On

  • Should art be bound by societal morals?
  • Where is the line between art and atrocity?
A Different Perspective

The view may excuse harmful content.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet

More by George Orwell

Explore all 1,657 George Orwell quotes

More Age quotes

Browse all 18,948 Age quotes