THE SUFFOLK TIMES EDITORIAL
ART IS MORE
THAN JUST
Opinion
BEAUTY
Proletarian Literature
By Mary Mae Gumiran
Writers choose to write for many reasons—but a writer
who refuses to ignite power through words that magnify the
societal or political struggles is cowardly and detached from
reality, for life in itself isn’t all about aesthetic forms and
qualities. Human beings become subjected to poverty,
economic injustice, unfair labor practices, human rights
abuses, etc. Crises happen every minute around the globe;
would it be fair and just to dismiss such occurrences to
preserve the beauty that art offers?
  
The notion “Art’s for Art’s Sake” is dated way back to 1817-
1818 from one of the published lectures of a French
Philosopher Victor Cousin. This concept suggests that art
shall not serve social, political, or moral importance; the
desire is to art alone, purely for aesthetic and fancy pursuits.
In 1835, French novelist Théophile Gautier wrote in his novel,
“nothing is really beautiful unless it is useless; everything
useful is ugly.” From that moment on, several artists became
influenced by this philosophy, including Jose Garcia Villa, a
Filipino poet who pioneered the movement of Art for Art’s
Sake in the Philippines. Villa mentioned that art is absolute; it
doesn’t have to be relative to society as long as it gives
pleasure to the readers. He also added that an artist’s purpose
is simply to art.
While a poem about a man’s devotion to a woman is pretty
adorable to read, there is hardly any value it contributes to
society in the long run other than pleasure and comfort. Sure,
these types of writings are an escape from the ills of society;
however, willful isolation from the ugly truths of life is like
shunning the voice of the oppressed and feeding oppressors
more authority to oppress.
FRI, APR 05, 2022 05
Opinion
Becoming conscious of what’s really happening outside
the comfort of beauty and imagination is strength. To pen
about corruption, war, crime, dictatorship, abuse, and such is
to display sensitivity, compassion, and solace to the human
struggles. In Salvador Lopez’s essay, he mentioned, “not that
he became blind to the beauty of nature and the works of
man; it is only that he has begun to relate his ideas and every
important thing that happens to some definite principles of
beauty, justice, and truth.” Actually, the truth and the ugly,
the pain and the suffering; without them, there wouldn’t be
any great about literature or history.
Literature that concerns society has weight, capable of
bringing freedom, peace, justice, and equality. Literature that
protests the social, political, and economic injustices brings
about change and solutions. It has the ability to make orderly
policies, end crime, punish the corrupt, or feed the hungry.
Literature reflects society, and these two are inseparable.
Literature linked to society provides us with a detailed
preview of human experiences and social occurrences; it also
demonstrates the realities of mankind, enabling us to
connect and communicate with the community on a deeper
level. When literature and society interact, we gain wisdom
and critical faculties, which are undoubtedly useful means
for the advancement of the human race.
In the end, the inclusion of society in literature has
profound significance. It can move mountains and surpass
the age of time. It can inform, advise, criticize, call out, and
be a cry for help. Now, it is up to writers to decide: will I
write for beautiful things, or will I ink my hands on
something useful?