The Eyes of the World

The Eyes of the World was the Best Selling Book for 1914 according to Publisher's Weekly. The novel explores what Harold Bell Wright views as the false world of artists, writers, critics, and their wealthy patrons. Two of the main characters are the famous author, Conrad LaGrange and Aaron King, an aspiring artist. LaGrange regretfully describes his writings as "filthy stories in good English" and feels he has sold his soul to become successful. While in California, recovering from a...
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The Eyes of the World was the Best Selling Book for 1914 according to Publisher's Weekly. The novel explores what Harold Bell Wright views as the false world of artists, writers, critics, and their wealthy patrons. Two of the main characters are the famous author, Conrad LaGrange and Aaron King, an aspiring artist. LaGrange regretfully describes his writings as "filthy stories in good English" and feels he has sold his soul to become successful. While in California, recovering from a physical breakdown, he befriends Aaron King whose mother he knew when he was a boy. Lagrange serves as counselor to the young man, for he knows the pitfalls of success from his own experience.The Eyes of The World, a romance that takes place among the orange groves of Southern California. This is a morality play whose lessons are as suitable to an artistic society today as they were nearly a century ago. The characters include a portrait painter, a famous novelist, a young violinist, a respected media critic, and several irresponsible art patrons. The story laments the success given to the art that is corrupted by it. The novelist, Conrad LaGrange, professes that his own wealth and popular approval have been bought by calling attention to the indecent, thereby surrendering the dignity of his profession. Wright presents a sordid bunch who captivate us with their pomposity and gossiping harangue. The selfish art patrons are all-too-willing to watch how the artists prostitute their work and to allow their own reproach as long as they can control the power of the artistic transaction. Such is the power one of the patrons, Mrs. Taine, wields when she says to the artist, Aaron King, the following: My influence would insure you a favorable reception from those who make the reputations of men like you. I could have made you the rage. I could have made you famous.