James Joyce · English Literature

What is the 'aesthetic theory' proposed by Stephen Dedalus in 'A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man'?

  1. Art should serve as a direct tool for advancing political and social causes
  2. The artist should remain indifferent within the work, paring his fingernails
  3. Literature must strictly follow the rules of Aristotelian tragedy throughout
  4. Beauty is found only in the complete rejection of the physical and material world
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Correct answer: The artist should remain indifferent within the work, paring his fingernails

Stephen argues for a 'stasis' in art, where the artist is refined out of existence. He believes the personality of the artist should eventually disappear into the work, achieving a god-like impersonality.

Difficulty: Medium Question 9 of 20

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