Art Quote by James Joyce
““The tragic emotion, in fact, is a face looking two ways, towards terror and towards pity, both of which are phases of it. You see I use the word ARREST. I mean that the tragic emotion is static. Or rather the dramatic emotion is. The feelings excited by improper art are kinetic, desire or loathing. Desire urges us to possess, to go to something; loathing urges us to abandon, to go from something. The arts which excite them, pornographical or didactic, are therefore improper arts. The esthetic emotion (I used the general term) is therefore static. The mind is arrested and raised above desire and loathing.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: Ulysses, James Joyce, 1922
Tragic emotion is static, while dramatic emotion is kinetic; art that provokes desire or loathing is improper.
In simple terms: Static tragedy versus active drama; improper art stirs desire or loathing.
Key Takeaway
Seek art that elevates beyond base emotions.
Themes
aesthetic theory
emotion
art criticism
psychology
Mood
critical
contemplative
Type
philosophical
literary
When to use this quote
- literary analysis
- art education
- creative practice
- psychological study
- philosophical debate
Key Concepts
static vs kinetic
desire
loathing
proper vs improper art
Questions to Reflect On
- What makes art “proper” or “improper”?
- Can static emotions be valuable?
A Different Perspective
Labeling art as “improper” can be subjective and limit expression.
