For one thing, I am not so
miserable as I was then, personally; then again, I have found my
vocation. You know pretty well the phases I have passed through.
Upon ranting radicalism followed a period of philosophical study. My
philosophy, I have come to see, was worth nothing; what philosophy
is worth anything? It had its use for myself, however; it made me by
degrees self-conscious, and brought me to see that in art alone I
could find full satisfaction."
"Yet," urged Julian, "the old direction still shows itself in your
choice of subjects. Granting that this is pure art, it is a kind of
art only possible to an age in which the social question is
predominant."
"True, very likely. Every strong individuality is more or less the
expression of its age. This direction may be imposed upon me; for
all that, I understand why I pursue it."
After reflecting, Julian spoke in another tone. "Imagine yourself in
my position. Could you appreciate the artistic effect of your own
circumstances?"
"Probably not. And it is because I recognise that, that I grow more
and more careful to hold aloof from situations that would threaten
my peace of mind. My artistic egotism bids fair to ally itself with
vulgar selfishness.
Pages:
368
369
370
371
372
373
374
375
376
377
378
379
380
381
382
383
384
385
386
387
388
389
390
391
392