Art and Beauty in Everyday Life

Where it surfaces

• II: A Morning Bath

  The bridge, houses, and even the waterman's clothing are described as beautiful and artful, emphasizing the integration of art into daily life.

• The Guest House and the Breakfast Therein

  The architecture, frescoes, frieze, and the dainty presentation of breakfast illustrate the integration of art and beauty into daily life.

• IV: A Market by the Way

  The market and theatre are described as exquisitely beautiful, with architecture blending Gothic, Saracenic, and Byzantine styles, and Dick's damascened bronze doors exemplify craftsmanship.

• Children on the Road

  Dick values fine building and ornamentation, and notes that even old 'silly' buildings are kept as foils to new beautiful ones, reflecting the society's appreciation for aesthetic work.

• VI: A Little Shopping

  The elegant arcades, finely designed shop fronts, and the beautifully crafted tobacco pipe and pouch illustrate the integration of art into daily objects and environments.

• VII: Trafalgar Square

  The narrator questions the elaborate carving on his pipe, but Dick defends such 'toys' as a natural expression of craftsmanship when there is no scarcity of carvers.

• An Old Friend

  The market's fanciful architecture, striped awnings, and fountain reflect the integration of beauty into daily life.

• XVI: Dinner in the Hall of the Bloomsbury Market

  The hall's decorations, the quality of the meal, and the discussion about art all emphasize the integration of beauty into daily life.

• XVIII: The Beginning of the New Life

  Old Hammond explains that the production of art became a natural part of everyday labor, and that beauty in the environment and in objects is a key feature of the new society.

• XIX: The Drive Back to Hammersmith

  Clara defends the beauty and harmony of people's clothing, arguing that ornamentation is a natural and joyful part of life.

• The Hammersmith Guesthouse Again

  The evening is filled with music, storytelling, and the beauty of summer flowers and moonlight, enjoyed without the weight of past injustices.

• XXII: Hampton Court and a Praiser of Past Times

  The chapter contrasts the beauty of Hampton Court, the flower garden, and the river with the old man's nostalgia for past literature, while Ellen argues that the present world itself—its buildings, gardens, and work—is the true book of beauty.

• XXV: The Third Day on the Thames

  The preference for the pretty, simple lock over ugly machinery underscores the value placed on beauty in daily life.

• XXVI: The Obstinate Refusers

  The house is being built with carved stone wreaths and figures, emphasizing the integration of art into daily work and architecture.

• A Resting-Place on the Upper Thames

  The landscape is described as a garden made for pleasure and livelihood, and the conversation centers on the loss of beauty in the past due to social conditions.

• XXXI: An Old House Amongst New Folk

  The old house is treasured as a piece of natural beauty and ornament, with faded tapestry and simple furniture that harmonize with the setting.

• Endnotes

  The note contrasts the elegance of a Persian pattern with the genteel appearance of a rich lady, and describes mills along the Thames as strikingly beautiful.