🌦️ Unit 2: Art and Craft, Lesson 1: What is Beauty?
A. Warm up activity
- Close your eyes and picture something beautiful. What did you see? Share with your friends.
- Think of a work of art you have seen (e.g., a painting, a sculpture, a photograph, an embroidered quilt) that you considered beautiful. Describe it to your group.
Beauty is easy to appreciate but difficult to define. As we look around, we discover beauty in pleasurable objects and sights—in nature, in the laughter of children, in the kindness of strangers. But when asked to define it, we run into difficulties. Does beauty have an independent, objective identity? Is it universal, or is it shaped by individual perceptions? Does it truly lie in the eye of the beholder?—we ask ourselves.
Throughout history, poets and artists have described beauty in different ways. Poets make use of words to paint images of beauty, while artists create representations of beauty using their creative faculties.
Here are two poems that explore the theme of beauty. While Lord Byron (1788-1824) finds perfect beauty in a woman he idealizes, Emily Dickinson (1830-1886) asserts that beauty is inseparable from truth. Read the poems and complete the activities that follow.
'She Walks in Beauty' by Lord Byron
She walks in beauty, like the night Of cloudless climes and starry skies; And all that's best of dark and bright Meet in her aspect and her eyes; Thus mellowed to that tender light Which heaven to gaudy day denies. One shade the more, one ray the less, Had half impaired the nameless grace Which waves in every raven tress, Or softly lightens o'er her face; Where thoughts serenely sweet express, How pure, how dear their dwelling-place. And on that cheek, and o'er that brow, So soft, so calm, yet eloquent, The smiles that win, the tints that glow, But tell of days in goodness spent, A mind at peace with all below, A heart whose love is innocent!
'I Died For Beauty' by Emily Dickinson
I died for beauty, but was scarce Adjusted in the tomb, When one who died for truth was lain In an adjoining room. He questioned softly why I failed? "For beauty," I replied. "And I for truth - the two are one; We brethren are," he said. And so, as kinsmen met a-night, We talked between the rooms, Until the moss had reached our lips, And covered up our names.
Notes: Click any bold word to hear it and see details. Click outside the card to close.
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Necessary Words and Phrases
| Word | Definition | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| embroidered quilt (Noun Phrase) |
IPA: /ɪmˈbrɔɪdərd kwɪlt/ Bengali: সেলাই করা কম্বল Synonyms: Decorated blanket, Needlepoint coverlet, Stitched tapestry |
The grandmother wrapped the child in an embroidered quilt. |
| Beauty is easy to appreciate but difficult to define. (Sentence) |
IPA: /ˈbjuːti ɪz ˈiːzi tuː əˈpriːʃieɪt bʌt ˈdɪfɪkəlt tuː dɪˈfaɪn/ Bengali: সৌন্দর্য সহজে বোঝা যায় কিন্তু সংজ্ঞায়িত করা কঠিন Synonyms: Beauty is recognizable yet elusive, Hard to pin down |
Beauty is easy to appreciate but difficult to define, as each person sees it differently. |
| objective identity (Noun Phrase) |
IPA: /əbˈdʒɛktɪv aɪˈdɛntɪti/ Bengali: বাস্তব পরিচয় Synonyms: Universal nature, Inherent existence, External reality, Independent definition |
Philosophers discuss the concept of objective identity in human nature. |
| individual perceptions (Noun Phrase) |
IPA: /ˌɪndɪˈvɪdʒuəl pərˈsɛpʃənz/ Bengali: ব্যক্তিগত ধারণা Synonyms: Personal viewpoints, Subjective interpretations, Specific understanding |
Individual perceptions vary depending on personal experiences. |
| explore (Verb) |
IPA: /ɪkˈsplɔːr/ Bengali: অনুসন্ধান করা; পরীক্ষা করা Synonyms: Investigate, Analyze, Discuss, Examine, Consider |
We should explore different options before making a decision. |
| asserts (Verb) |
IPA: /əˈsɜːrts/ Bengali: দাবী করা; বলিষ্ঠভাবে ঘোষণা করা Synonyms: Declares, Affirms, Insists, Proclaims, Maintains |
He asserts his opinion confidently in every debate. |
| cloudless climes (Noun Phrase) |
IPA: /ˈklaʊdləs klaɪmz/ Bengali: নির্জলা আকাশ Synonyms: Clear environments, Unclouded regions, Bright skies |
The poet admired the cloudless climes during his travels. |
| starry skies (Noun Phrase) |
IPA: /ˈstɑːri skaɪz/ Bengali: তারা ভরা আকাশ Synonyms: Starlit heavens, Night expanse, Celestial dome |
We lay on the grass, gazing at the starry skies. |
| gaudy day (Noun Phrase) |
IPA: /ˈɡɔːdi deɪ/ Bengali: ঝকঝকে দিন Synonyms: Overly bright day, Harsh daylight, Glaring brightness |
Byron contrasts the mellowed night with the gaudy day in his poem. |
| raven tress (Noun Phrase) |
IPA: /ˈreɪvən trɛs/ Bengali: কালো চুলের চুলকানো লক Synonyms: Black lock of hair, Dark curl, Inky strand |
Her raven tress fell gracefully over her shoulder. |
| eloquent (Adjective) |
IPA: /ˈɛləkwənt/ Bengali: বাগ্মী; প্রাঞ্জল Synonyms: Expressive, Articulate, Revealing, Suggestive |
Her eloquent speech moved the entire audience. |
| tints (Noun) |
IPA: /tɪnts/ Bengali: ছায়া; রঙের মাত্রা Synonyms: Hues, Shades, Colors, Complexions |
The artist added soft tints to the painting to create depth. |
| scarce (Adverb) |
IPA: /skɛrs/ Bengali: কষ্টসহকারে; প্রায় নয় Synonyms: Rarely, Seldom, Not quite, Almost not |
I had scarce enough time to finish the assignment. |
| tomb (Noun) |
IPA: /tuːm/ Bengali: সমাধি; মন্দির বা কবর Synonyms: Burial place, Grave, Mausoleum, Burial vault |
The ancient tomb attracted many tourists. |
| lain (Verb, Past Participle) |
IPA: /leɪn/ Bengali: শায়িত হওয়া; বিশ্রামে থাকা Synonyms: Rested, Situated, Placed, Put (in the grave) |
The body has lain in the tomb for centuries. |
| adjoining room (Noun Phrase) |
IPA: /əˈdʒɔɪnɪŋ ruːm/ Bengali: সংলগ্ন কক্ষ Synonyms: Adjacent chamber, Connected space, Next-door compartment |
They booked the adjoining room for convenience. |
| kinsmen (Noun) |
IPA: /ˈkɪnzmən/ Bengali: রক্ত সম্পর্কিত আত্মীয় Synonyms: Relatives, Kindred, Family members, Fellow spirits |
He was welcomed warmly by his kinsmen at the village. |
1. Multiple Choice Questions
- According to the introductory text, what is the central paradox concerning beauty?
- It is defined by the artist but appreciated by the common person.
- It is an objective identity but is often mistaken for individual perception.
- It is easy to recognize and enjoy but challenging to define.
- It is found in nature but absent in human civilization.
- The initial discussion about defining beauty raises a conflict between which two concepts?
- Whether it is temporary or permanent.
- Objective identity and individual perceptions.
- The creative faculties of artists and the words used by poets.
- Whether it is an appreciation of form or of function.
- The passage distinguishes the role of poets from artists in representing beauty by stating that poets use:
- Creative faculties to create representations, while artists use words to paint images.
- Words to paint images, while artists use their creative faculties to create representations.
- Subjective feelings, while artists seek an objective identity.
- Logic to define it, while artists use emotion to portray it.
- Based on the introductory text, which statement best summarizes Emily Dickinson's perspective on beauty in her poem?
- She believes beauty is solely a matter of individual perception.
- She asserts that beauty is inseparable from truth.
- She finds perfect beauty in a woman she idealizes.
- She explores the theme through an objective identity.
- In Lord Byron's 'She Walks in Beauty,' what does the contrast between the woman's beauty and the light that "heaven to gaudy day denies" suggest?
- Her beauty is a gentle, harmonious light, superior to the day's crude brightness.
- Her beauty is fleeting and will vanish when the sun rises.
- Her beauty is simple and unadorned, lacking any tints or glow.
- Her beauty is harsh and overwhelming, like a bright day.
- According to the second and third stanzas of Byron's poem, what ultimately validates the woman's external beauty?
- The striking contrast of dark and bright in her appearance.
- The cloudless climes and starry skies of the night.
- The innocence of her heart and goodness of her character.
- The nameless grace which waves in every raven tress.
- In Emily Dickinson's 'I Died For Beauty,' what is the primary realization shared between the two speakers who are lain in adjoining rooms?
- That Beauty and Truth are fundamentally one and the same.
- That the moss will eventually cover all names and memory is temporary.
- That their causes of death were completely different and unrelatable.
- That they were kinsmen from the same family.