About the work …
In What Is Art?, [1] Tolstoy details the social purpose to art. Art, he believes, is a sincere emotion transferred from an artist to others and, as such, is a uniquely human activity. Tolstoy defines genuine or real art as the communication of emotion transferable to, and felt by, all persons; consequently, art is to judged by the universal (religious) spirit of brotherhood of an age. Great art, he thinks, unites humanity.
How does Tolstoy contrast the purpose of speech and the purpose of art?
How does Tolstoy characterize the basis of the activity of art?
Why doesn't Tolstoy think art is simply the expression of emotion?
Cite some of the examples Tolstoy mentions of the harmful historical beliefs of the place of art in human culture.
According to Tolstoy what is it that distinguishes the feeling produced by art from all other feelings?
What according to Tolstoy is "the chief characteristic and the great attractive force of art"?
What does Tolstoy describe as three conditions of good art? What is the subject matter of good art?
[1] | Leo Tolstoy, What Is Art? Translated by Aylmer Maude. London: The Brotherhood Publishing Company. 1898. |