Relate comic things in pompous fashion. Irregularity, in other words the unexpected, the surprising, the astonishing, are essential to and characteristic of beauty. Two fundamental literary qualities: supernaturalism and irony. The blend of the grotesque and the tragic are attractive to the mind, as is discord to blasé ears. Imagine a canvas for a lyrical, magical farce, for a pantomime, and translate it into a serious novel. Drown the whole thing in an abnormal, dreamy atmosphere, in the atmosphere of great days … the region of pure poetry. Charles Baudelaire
About This Quote

In this quote, Henry James explains the importance of the abnormal and the surprising in art. If a person can mix these two qualities together, instill them into another person’s work, and have that person appreciate them, then that person would be able to create a truly beautiful piece of art.

Source: Intimate Journals

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  1. The beautiful is always bizarre.
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  3. Life has but one true charm: the charm of the game. But what if we’re indifferent to whether we win or lose?
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