Isabella Sierra
Beautiful Things
From Oscar Wildes preface to Dorian Gray, I chose the aphorism: “Those who find ugly meanings in beautiful things are corrupt without being charming. This is a fault.”
This was the aphorism that stuck to me, the most at least, because they were all interesting. When I first read that, it sort of sounded like something I had heard before. The more I re- read it, the more it starts to sound like something personal, and the more it relates to how people talk about art and creativity. My take on what this Aphorism means is that when someone can look at a beautiful piece of art, and they take that and turn it into something negative, most of the time without even trying, that is just where those certain peoples mind takes them. That also can really show you the person on a deeper level, rather than the art. Wilde also says, “are corrupt without being charming” Meaning if they don’t go into detail about their negativity (being charming), they are corrupt, and it is fully their fault. Everyone sees everything differently, as do they put their own twist on everything.
This reminds me of Taylor Swift. Taylor swift has become one of the biggest artists in the world. Her fan club is unmatchable. She is seen completely differently by so many people around the world. There are people that love her, yet there are people that hate her. In Taylor swift’s songs, she pours out her emotions. She is vulnerable to some, yet to others, it is dramatic. That resonates to what Oscar Wilde meant in the aphorism I chose. For most of Taylor’s personal songs, a lot of people loved them, but there is always that group of people that simply bash on her and her heartfelt lyrics. As some say for art, you need to truly understand it to like it. That’s why for some people, they just can’t accept that it is good music, real art.
Especially in Taylor Swifts songwriting, in most of her albums and songs, she uses poetry as her lyrics, poetry is real art. Some people can’t appreciate that. Taylor is especially known for creating stories through her songs, she uses real names, real scenarios that most of her audience can relate to, but again, the ones who don’t relate, think her music is childish, dramatic and unnecessary. Thats where the people who are not “ready to appreciate” her music come in, relating to the aphorism once again.
When Wilde says this, I also think he means that not everyone has the mindset to really take the meanings of the music and lyrics to their personal life. Some people can take things and try to turn them into something they are simply not. Some things (and some songs) are given to us to just enjoy, and to not read so deeply into everything. These songs make certain people feel things, and make other people feel nothing. Those people Oscar Wilde could be talking about, are just here to criticize.
To conclude, Wilde just tries to show us that not everyone is built for the artistic world. Not everyone has the ability to really take these deep, meaningful things, and turn them into something deeper, rather than twist it and bash on it. When in reality, they don’t feel what is meant to be felt. Art is beautiful, those who turn it into something ugly are just not mature enough, at least in my opinion.
This was a good connection betweenWilde’s aphorism to Taylor Swift’s music Isabella. It demonstrates how negative reactions to art often reveal more about the viewer than the work itself. I particularly appreciated how you explored the idea that appreciating artistic vulnerability requires a certain openness that not everyone has. Your concluding thought that “not everyone is built for the artistic world” was a good way of ending the connection off.
I really liked your interpretation of Wilde’s aphorism and how you connected it to Taylor Swift’s songwriting. It’s such a relatable and modern example of how people often project their own negativity onto something meaningful. I especially liked your point about how some people aren’t ready (or willing) to appreciate certain kinds of art because they can’t relate or don’t try to understand it.
I really like this connection that you made between the aphorism and Taylor Swift. Your arguments are very intriguing and very true. Not all people will appreciate the art since they are too focused on the name. I agree with your point on people hating on art simply because they do not understand. It is one thing to not enjoy art but you can also appreciate what the artist was trying to coney. Good job, very well written!
I liked your connection to TS, I thought it was quite creative. I liked how you interpreted it as something being negative in an artists life and how they can channel it into change and inspiration for others. I think your point about how people can’t appreciate art because they are often focused on the ethos of the performer or artist. Overall, its good.