Walter Pater

Definition

Walter Pater was a British essayist and literary critic, known for his role in promoting aestheticism in the late 19th century. His works emphasized the importance of art for art's sake, encouraging readers to appreciate beauty and sensory experiences over moral or social concerns. This philosophy deeply influenced writers like Oscar Wilde, linking Pater’s ideas to the emergence of aestheticism and the shifting landscape of the Victorian novel.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Walter Pater’s most famous work, 'The Renaissance,' is a collection of essays that explore the art and culture of the Italian Renaissance, showcasing his belief in the importance of aesthetic experience.
2. Pater’s writing style is characterized by lush, vivid descriptions that aim to evoke sensory reactions from readers, reflecting his belief that literature should engage emotions rather than convey moral lessons.
3. His influence can be seen in Oscar Wilde's works, particularly in the way Wilde adopts and adapts Pater’s aesthetic principles into his own unique voice.
4. Pater’s emphasis on individual experience and subjective interpretation played a crucial role in the evolution of the modern novel, as authors began to explore character psychology and personal perception.
5. Despite being celebrated within aesthetic circles, Pater's ideas also faced criticism for promoting a perceived detachment from social issues, leading to debates about the responsibilities of artists in society.

Review Questions

• How did Walter Pater's philosophy shape the ideas of aestheticism and influence writers like Oscar Wilde?
  • Walter Pater's philosophy emphasized beauty and sensory experience above moral considerations, which became central tenets of aestheticism. His work inspired Oscar Wilde and others to embrace this approach, leading to literature that focused more on art as an autonomous entity. This shift encouraged writers to prioritize personal pleasure and emotional engagement with their works, steering them away from traditional narratives that centered around morality or social critique.
• In what ways did Pater's literary style contribute to the changing narrative techniques within the Victorian novel?
  • Pater’s literary style, marked by vivid imagery and deep psychological exploration, contributed to the changing narrative techniques within the Victorian novel by encouraging authors to delve into character introspection and subjectivity. By prioritizing individual experience over societal norms, Pater helped pave the way for a more modern approach in literature, where inner thoughts and feelings became focal points. This shift allowed for richer character development and complex storytelling that reflected real human emotions.
• Evaluate how Walter Pater's ideas about art might reflect broader cultural shifts occurring during the late 19th century in Britain.
  • Walter Pater's ideas about art reflect significant cultural shifts in late 19th-century Britain, particularly in relation to industrialization and changing social values. As society grappled with rapid changes brought on by industrialization, Pater’s emphasis on individual aesthetic experience represented a reaction against utilitarianism and moralistic views prevalent at the time. His belief in 'art for art's sake' signified a longing for beauty amidst societal chaos, illustrating a broader desire for meaning beyond material progress and social constraints.

Related terms

Aestheticism:

A late 19th-century artistic movement that prioritized beauty and sensory experiences over moral themes or social utility.

Art for Art's Sake: A philosophy advocating that the value of art is intrinsic and should not be judged by its moral or political implications.

Impressionism: An artistic movement that originated in France, emphasizing the representation of light and color, often paralleling the focus on subjective experience in literature.