Artistic Unity Ten-Minute Lecture

Purpose To define the concept “artistic unity”. To discuss the significance of artistic unity in relation to short stories in particular and art in general. To provide students with a framework from which they can analyze short fiction.

Definition Artistic Unity: “That condition of a successful literary work whereby all its elements work together for the achievement of its central purpose. In an artistically unified work nothing is included that is irrelevant to the central purpose, nothing is omitted that is essential to it, and the parts are arranged in the most effective order for the achievement of that purpose” – Humanities Web Glossary

History Edgar Alan Poe As one of the first critics and practitioners of the short story form, he coined the phrase, “artistic unity”: “That condition of a successful literary work whereby all its elements work together for the achievement of its central purpose. In an artistically unified work nothing is included that is irrelevant to the central purpose, nothing is omitted that is essential to it, and the parts are arranged in the most effective order for the achievement of that purpose.”

History Poe also spoke of short stories as having a “single unique effect”. Everything in a short story (think of the list of elements our textbook mentions) works toward the story’s goal: communicated idea, theme, meaning, or value. Short stories lack the space novels have. They don’t (can’t?) deal with a multitude of incidents. They don’t develop more than one or two characters. They maintain a singular point of view. They aim for a single effect.

Example The Starry Night, by Vincent Van Gogh. How does this painting achieve artistic or visual unity ?

Example What are the elements or techniques the painting uses? Rich, thick brushstrokes Swirls Deep, cool colors Exaggerated size Perspective

Example How do these elements unify the work? The two most striking features are the turbulent, explosive sky, and the calm, peaceful town. The steeple standing in the center of the town and the painting, warmed by the town’s tiny lights seems like a hopeful beacon amid a storm. If I am to take the painting’s overall effect to be one of hope, then I would interpret my observations in that way.

Example The swirls and thick brush strokes not only encourage the viewer’s eye through the painting, they also create the tension between turbulence and peace. The cool blues and greens of the night sky blend naturally into the warm yellows of the town lights The straight lines of the church center it and unify the elements of the painting around it, resolving the tension between turbulence and peace. The suggestion is that where turbulence exists, so too does peace; there is a kind of beauty and peace in turbulence; and even the explosive wind and darkness cannot overcome hope and peace.

Example Two The Very Persistent Gappers of Frip Example Topic: Traditions Example Theme: Basically decent folk are capable of cruel and irrational actions through their unquestioning acceptance of tradition and custom. Example Thesis: Through character and metaphor, The Very Persistent Gappers of Frip demonstrates the dangers of blindly following old traditions, and then resolves them ironically, by creating new traditions. Example Elements ▫Character ▫Metaphor ▫Irony

Example Two Elements Character ▫Capable ▫Capable’s father ▫Ronsens ▫Romos ▫Gappers Metaphor ▫Gappers Irony ▫Traditions lead the characters to misery; tradition leads the characters to peace and satisfaction

Example Two These elements work together to help the story achieve its “effect” or meaning (this of course is my own interpretation—you might have your own)