{"product_id":"on-murder-considered-as-one-of-the-fine-arts-thomas-de-quincey","title":"On Murder Considered as One of the Fine Arts by Thomas De Quincey | Classic Satirical Essay","description":"\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOn Murder Considered as One of the Fine Arts by Thomas De Quincey\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOn Murder Considered as One of the Fine Arts\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e by \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThomas De Quincey\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e is a provocative and darkly humorous classic essay that examines murder through the deliberately absurd perspective of an aesthetic critic. First published in \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBlackwood's Magazine\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e in 1827, the work uses satire, irony and literary parody to imagine a society of “connoisseurs” who discuss murder as though it were a form of artistic achievement. Rather than offering a straightforward discussion of crime, De Quincey turns the subject into an elaborate literary joke and social satire.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAbout This Book\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDe Quincey's famous essay begins by presenting the fictional idea of a society dedicated to the appreciation and criticism of murder. The narrator adopts the voice of an eccentric lecturer who discusses criminal acts using the language normally associated with painting, poetry, music and other forms of art.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis deliberately shocking contrast is central to the work's humour. De Quincey treats an obviously horrific subject with exaggerated seriousness, creating an unsettling but highly sophisticated piece of black comedy. The result is a work that explores how aesthetic language, intellectual pretension and moral detachment can be manipulated for satirical effect.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe essay is particularly associated with the historical Ratcliff Highway murders of 1811 and the figure of John Williams, which become an important part of De Quincey's fictional lecture.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKey Topics Covered\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThomas De Quincey\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eClassic English essays\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSatire and black humour\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLiterary criticism\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCrime and society\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIrony and parody\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eVictorian and Romantic literature\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAestheticism and art\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMoral questions in literature\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDark comedy\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNineteenth-century English literature\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eClassic literary essays\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWhy Read This Book?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOn Murder Considered as One of the Fine Arts\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e is an important example of how literature can use an extreme subject to create satire and intellectual comedy. De Quincey's deliberately exaggerated approach allows him to parody the language of artistic criticism while also commenting on human fascination with crime and sensational events.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe essay is especially interesting for readers who enjoy unconventional classics, literary satire and dark humour. Its unusual premise and distinctive narrative voice make it very different from a conventional historical or philosophical treatment of crime.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWho Should Read This?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis book is suitable for:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eReaders of classic English literature\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eStudents of literature and literary criticism\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFans of satire and irony\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eReaders interested in dark humour\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eStudents of Romantic-era writing\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eReaders interested in essays and nonfiction classics\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFans of unusual and provocative literature\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eReaders exploring Thomas De Quincey\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCollectors of Penguin Little Black Classics\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eProduct Details\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBook Title:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e On Murder Considered as One of the Fine Arts\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Thomas De Quincey\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSeries:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Penguin Little Black Classics\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSeries Number:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e No. 4\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Penguin\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePublication:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 2015\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLanguage:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e English\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFormat:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e English Paperback\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGenre:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Classics, Essays, Literary Satire\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eISBN-13:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 9780141397887\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePages:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Edition-dependent\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePenguin's Little Black Classics series identifies this title as \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNo. 4\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e in the original 80-book collection. The physical 2015 edition is commonly catalogued at approximately 55–56 pages, while other digital and print records vary.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThomas De Quincey (1785–1859)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e was an English essayist and literary writer best known for \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eConfessions of an English Opium-Eater\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, as well as his highly distinctive essays on literature, philosophy, society and personal experience.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDe Quincey developed a reputation for combining elaborate prose with intellectual humour, autobiography, literary criticism and unusual subject matter. His writing influenced later English essayists and remains notable for its distinctive style and willingness to explore controversial subjects.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLiterary Significance\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOn Murder Considered as One of the Fine Arts\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e is notable for its use of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eironic inversion\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e: something morally horrific is deliberately discussed using the vocabulary of artistic appreciation. This technique allows De Quincey to create a satirical distance between the narrator's absurd perspective and the reader's awareness of the subject's seriousness.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe work has become one of De Quincey's best-known pieces and is frequently discussed as an example of dark satire and unconventional literary criticism. The original essay appeared in \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBlackwood's Magazine\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e in February 1827, with later additions expanding the broader series.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAbout the Penguin Little Black Classics Edition\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Penguin \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLittle Black Classics\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e series was launched to celebrate Penguin's 80th anniversary and brings together short works from across world literature, including fiction, poetry, essays and other classic writings. The original collection contains 80 titles, with \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOn Murder Considered as One of the Fine Arts\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e appearing as No. 4.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFinal Overview\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOn Murder Considered as One of the Fine Arts by Thomas De Quincey\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e is a memorable classic essay that combines dark humour, literary satire, irony and social commentary. By presenting murder through the exaggerated language of art criticism, De Quincey creates a deliberately provocative work that challenges readers to consider the relationship between aesthetics, morality and society. This Penguin Little Black Classics edition is a concise introduction to one of the most unusual essays in nineteenth-century English literature.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"BookBeen","offers":[{"title":"Paperback","offer_id":53622802153781,"sku":null,"price":442.0,"currency_code":"PKR","in_stock":true},{"title":"Hardcover","offer_id":53622802186549,"sku":null,"price":1042.0,"currency_code":"PKR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/1731\/5125\/files\/BookBeen_62_a215d69e-0f7e-46ce-ae5e-0657782b7918.png?v=1790006168","url":"https:\/\/bookbeen.com\/products\/on-murder-considered-as-one-of-the-fine-arts-thomas-de-quincey","provider":"Bookbeen","version":"1.0","type":"link"}