Connoisseurs
CONNOISSEURS by Charlotte Perkins Gilman: A short story about a woman who becomes obsessed with her husband's art collection and the connoisseurship of art. The protagonist, a middle-aged woman named Mrs. Farraday, becomes increasingly fixated on the artworks in her husband's collection, to the point where she begins to neglect her own well-being and relationships. As she delves deeper into the world of art, Mrs. Farraday becomes increasingly detached from reality, losing touch with her own emotions and experiences. The story raises questions about the nature of obsession and the ways in which people can become consumed by their passions.
By Charlotte Perkins Gilman · First published 1890 · Genre: Poetry, Satire, Literary Criticism · 248 words
First lines
"No," said the Cultured Critic, gazing haughtily Whereon some untrained brush had wandered naughtily, From canons free; "Work such as this lacks value and perspective, Has no real feeling,-inner or reflective,- Does not appeal to me."
Then quoth the vulgar, knowing art but meagrely, Their unbesought opinions airing eagerly, "Why, ain't that flat? " Voicing their ignorance all unconcernedly, Saying of what the Critic scored so learnedly, "I don't like that!"
The Critic now vouchsafed approval sparingly Of what some genius had attempted daringly, "This fellow tries; He handles his conception frankly, feelingly. Such work as this, done strongly and appealingly, I recognize."
What this Textopian page supports
Connoisseurs is listed on Textopian as a novel by Charlotte Perkins Gilman, dated 1890 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novel
- Author: Charlotte Perkins Gilman
- Date: 1890 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Satire, Literary Criticism, Social Commentary, Modernism
- Length: 248 words
- Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Connoisseurs by Charlotte Perkins Gilman
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- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is written in verse, employing poetic devices and structure.
- Satire — The text critiques the art world and societal perceptions of art through irony and humor.
- Literary Criticism — The dialogue reflects on the nature of art and criticism, engaging with themes of value and perspective.
- Social Commentary — The poem addresses societal attitudes towards art and the divide between critics and the general public.
Tags
art · aesthetics · critique · society · culture · gender · identity · class · modernism · individualism · perception · taste