What does she mean, "Art for art's sake."?

Question

*****

A MINOR SUCCESS

by TD Euwaite

Act 1, Scene 1.

Curtain up, queue the chorus.

Hope the audience adores my

Playwright’s words,

Command performance.

Dramatic, comedic, somber, uproarious.

Act 2, Scene 2.

Long flowing hair.

Time’s turning leaf.

Canine clown ads comic relief.

Laughter, tears,

Intermission, whispered critiques, disbelief.

Act 3, Finale.

Heroes lost in a storm.

Nerves tingle, hearts warm.

Dying embrace, a kiss.

Applause, curtain calls.

Not a dry eye in the room.

Success!

*****

Answer 1

To this poetic message, I quote an old Hindu proverb:

"Set thy hand upon thy work

But never upon its reward."

When I write, be it prose or poetry, I do not envision reward. Recognition is the so-called icing on the cake. It can be sweet, but whatever I write is ultimately out of a need to express thought or emotion. I believe you also write primarily out of the need to write.

Answer 2

Because you're name is on this poem I assume you wrote it. Because you're name neither implies male or female I have to wonder who the 'she' is you're asking about? Is the 'she' the playwright?

As to someone saying 'Art for art's sake' this implies that the person is creating art for the sake of creating art, saying that the creation process and the completed work is it's own reward. Ask yourself are Van Gogh's paintings valueless because he never received recognition during his lifetime?

When I paint I feel exactly the same way, that the creation is it's own reward. However, I used to write plays (had six of them produced) and I'll be the first to admit that just the writing of the play was never reward enough. The reward came from the actors getting into the roles and ultimately the audience who were moved by my words.

Applying your 'question' to the production of a play as 'art of art's sake, as stated by 'she' is BS. However, you've made it unclear if applying your 'art for art's sake' is to the play or to your poem itself.

EDIT: Now I understand. So, in reply to your verse, I like it as it is. It's pretty cool, actually. Something to be proud of.

Answer 3

I think I just heard someone say "Keep him talking".