Hospitality Management - Case Study Example

Week No The Dandy s)here BSc Hospitality Management: Module Number and here Faculty here September 18, Abstract The concept of the Dandy was one that was perceived through the Victorian Age. The main ideology was through an individual in society that spent money without care, looked at beauty only for the sake of beauty and which perceived reality only for enjoyment of the moment. Even though this particular concept was well known as a philosophy of life, there was not a true understanding or presentation of what life meant, specifically because of the contrasting realities that were surrounding the Victorian Age. Discovering meanings of life: the research of pure pleasure, through luxury beauty Introduction The concept of what it means to live and enjoy life is one that is presented by different times and expectations. The main concept is to show how life can be enjoyed as well as what the definition of pleasure and beauty mean to those that are within society. When looking at the different concepts of pleasure, beauty and the meaning of life, there is also a question of how this perspective should be seen as well as what enjoyment should consist of. The dandy is one of the characters and slang terms from Victorian society that present this specific concept and which is able to provide insight into whether one is looking into different aspects of life and what pleasure means (James, 1981). Even though the concept of dandy is able to provide one perspective of pleasure, there is not a true meaning of what life means through beauty. Instead, the concept is associated with the ideology of what is expected of pleasure by ignoring the truth of what is occurring around an individual in a given society. When looking at literature from the Victorian age, it can be seen that the concept of pleasure, beauty and the enjoyment of life is one that is misperceived both by societal expectations and by definitions of what it means to be fulfilled with the small pleasures of life. The Dandy’s Lifestyle The concept of Dandy was well – known throughout the Victorian Age and was translated specifically as one who is able to take useless pleasures out of life without caring about the situations that were reaching around an individual. The main importance on Dandy was the concept of physical appearance and the way that one presented him or herself to others. Dandy furthered this concept with the way in which they spoke, not only for the ideology of presenting a message, but also for the ability to talk in beautiful prose and poetry that was pleasing to others. This was followed by leisurely hobbies all which were used specifically for enjoyment and which led to a carefree life where one didn’t have to care about the realities and struggles that were a part of life. The concept that was built created what was known as the cult of Self, in which one only cared about the pleasures and the beauty that one could give to themselves as well as how they appeared to others, as opposed to the different concepts that were associated with one that was around them (Nicolay, 1998). The concept of Dandy was not only built on the cult of Self but also led into other characteristics that began to appear in the individuals that presented themselves in this manner. The eccentric characters that were presented in books were often referred to as dandy’s, specifically because of their care to appearance, speech and idle pleasures. Those who wanted to live this particular lifestyle where interested in collecting materialistic accessories and parts and would also present themselves with luxurious items for occasions that didn’t require this to happen. Individuals that were known to be well off in society would often be called dandy’s or jack – a dandy’s to further this. Authors and literary experts furthered this idea with their presentation of characters that were Dandy’s as well as through their own persona in different environmental settings (Moers, 1960). Historical Background of the Dandy The first use of the Dandy was noted in the late 1700s in London and Paris. The word became a slang term that was first used through literature, including Alcibades and John Prevost. Other books, such as the Scarlet Pimpernel allowed the idea of the dandy to grow as a popular term that was used by those in high society and which allowed individuals to begin classifying individuals in the Victorian Age toward the main concepts of the dandy. This grew with books such as Sartor Restartus by Thomas Carlyle, which described the dandy as one who was interested in wearing specific types of clothes and that was interested in the main concepts attributed to the ideology of an individual who cared about materialistic pleasures. The principles and ideologies that were associated with the dandy allowed the ideology to grow even more through Charles Baudelaire, Oscar Wilde and Lord Byron. Each of the authors began to describe the dandy as one who had a religious or spiritual side that was based on leisure, pleasure and beauty that had no purpose except for the enjoyment of life. The roles of the dandy in the public sphere then grew into one who was more mischievous and was interested in different scandals (Warton, Phillip, 1861). Not only did literary references create the dandy as a main concept in the Victorian Society, but others who represented this term also began to play a role in how it could fit with the main ideologies. For instance, George Bryan Brummell was a known dandy because of the way in which he dressed and because of his desire to take in the high pleasures of life. He was known to take the idea of eccentric personalities and the cult of self and to expound on it with his main ideologies of life and the way in which he presented himself. This was made popular during the French Revolution when France began to move into war. George Bryan Brummell appeared in fancy clothes and a wig and began to create characteristics that were more contemporary and not matching. The other side of the war began to be confused and distracted by the appearance, which then spread into rumors about the dandy through society. After this statement, the French Revolution and the desire to move into contemporary ideologies led into a growth of dandyism and the concept of symbolism and self – created men that enjoyed the materialism of life. Through the 1800s, this figure was presented in literature by Oscar Wilde, H.H. Munro, P.G. Wodehouse and Ronald Firbank through various characters. Later, this moved into a fashion subculture and to the shortened reference of a dude who was known for their leisurely attitude and contemporary fashion (Jesse, 1927). Dorian Gray An example of the dandy seen in literature is represented in Oscar Wilde’s several works, specifically through Dorian Gray. The representation of the dandy comes through the appearance of Basil Hallward through his idea of defining art through senseless beauty and through his belief that only beauty can make art better. This is further defined by the character of Lord Henry, who carries the belief that beauty and pleasure that fulfill one’s senses are the only things that should be pursued in one’s life. The main conflict comes from the belief of the two dandys’ against Dorian Gray’s belief, which is that the beauty and main concepts of leisure will pass away, especially if the leisure doesn’t have a purpose behind it. The conflict comes with deciding whether to keep the painting by Basil or to sell it because of the concepts of beauty that are behind it (Wilde, 1992). Oscar Wilde’s Viewpoint of the Dandy The presentation and conflict that occurs through Dorian Gray is one that shows that the concept of leisure and beauty is one that is passing and can never be fulfilled, as most of the dandy philosophies claimed. When looking at the beginning of the book, there is a presentation of life’s pleasures through nature as well as a sense of Narcissism that is a part of both Lord Henry and Basil. Both of these characters play on each other as they move through the book to show that the main concepts of life should be to enjoy what is occurring and to take beauty of the moment for the best. The idea of pleasure continues through the book as the two move through several instances in which they are able to expound on the ideas of beauty that are used throughout the book. Even though this is the main presentation through Lord Henry and Basil, it can be seen that the author disagrees with this viewpoint. The character of Dorian Gray is one that shows that the realities of life should also be looked into, specifically because the Victorian Age was not only filled with materialism and beauty but also included sorrows and lifestyles that were impoverished. The point of view of the author is seen through the character of Dorian Gray as he states that the ideas of beauty are fleeting and will eventually lead to death. However, reality and the concepts of sorrow and life remain forever and are the main focus one should have, specifically to impact others that are in society. This is seen through statements such as “Where there is sorrow there is holy ground. Some day people will realize what that means. They will know nothing of life till they do. Robbie and natures like his can realize it…. It was in this spirit, and with this mode of love, that the saints knelt down to wash the feet of the poor, or stooped to kiss the leper on the cheek” (Wilde, 1992). The beauty that Wilde describes is not one that is fleeting and is only for beauty’s sake. Instead, it is seen by recognizing sorrow and reality and finding beauty in making life better through a mode of love and recognition of what needs to be done to assist others to overcome their sorrow. Il Piacere The same conflicting ideology of the dandy can be seen through the work of Il Piacere by Gabriele d’ Annunzio. From the beginning of this book, there is the belief that there is a sense of beauty and pleasure that overcomes all ideologies. The author describes the character first as enjoying the country side and reflecting on the pleasures of life. Statements such as “In the country, the cold and clear light seemed to be like a flowing spring; as the trees bent with the winds, it seemed a visual illusion that the waving was passed on to everything” (Annunzio, 2002). The statements that are used throughout this book describe pleasure only to enjoy the prose of telling about the country side and to let the reader believe that there is beauty in recognizing nature and the surrounding concepts that are a part of each moment. The dandy that is presented as the main narrator is able to take the concepts of pleasure, beauty and the leisure of life as the main concept and continue to move forward with what it means to enjoy life only for the sake of seeing what is surrounding the individual. Viewpoint of Gabriele d’Annunzio Even though the main viewpoint is to describe the pleasure and to allow this to be the main focus, there is a conflict in the realities that is also presented. The concept of Ellen and the fleeting of love become the primary concern and the reality that takes over the dandy through the story. Even though there is enjoyment of the countryside and what is occurring, the author shows that it is a fleeting moment that can only be enjoyed for a second. Afterwards, Ellen leaves the dandy and goes back “for the last time” (Annunzio, 2002). When this happens, the reality hits the dandy and the pleasures and leisure that is spent for love, as well as the enjoyment of the moment is lost. The author is able to show that, even though pleasures and every moment can be enjoyed, specifically through concepts of love, it also can be lost with changes that occur in time as well as the way in which realities change through love, movement of other individuals and the change of seasons. Dandy’s Unsuitability to Society In both of these stories, it can be seen that the model of the dandy was one that was opposed to reality. According to literature, as well as to the realities that were occurring in the Victorian Age, the dandy was unsuitable to reality and what was occurring in society. The abuse of richness and useless beauty was in contrast to the surrounding poverty, sorrow and other problems that were a part of the Victorian Age. The portrait that was painted of the dandy was one that desired to have beauty as well as the illusion of materialistic goods and the ability for the self to be portrayed as the perfect image. However, the reality that the dandy faced was based on the concept that it was surrounded by poverty stricken individuals as well as society and those that were left with sorrow. The true dandy, according to some, was based more on the ideology of helping the realities, as opposed to ignoring them for the cult of the self and for meaningless pleasures (Young, 1999). It was also in contrast to the higher society, which expected to have a high level of decency associated with how one presented himself. This led into a contrast with the idea of industrialization as it didn’t provide economic stability as a character or as a means for productivity. The economics that were beginning to change during the Victorian Age were based on providing more opportunities for individuals that were suffering as well as for those that were at poverty levels. Since the situations were so extreme, measures such as the industrial age were built to help with those that needed to have more productivity within society. The other extreme to this was the Dandy, who would spend without thinking about the poverty and who didn’t make any effective measures to assist in the changes of the economy that were needed. For others that were in the Victorian Age, especially in high society, was an awareness that poverty and other problems with the economy should be eliminated and altered to change the way in which society functioned. The dandy was then a member in society who was not able to function in the correct manner and which didn’t provide any assistance to change the betterment of society (Chancellor, 2007). Another claim that can be assumed through the dandy and which shows that they are not suitable for society is based on the concept of the meaning of life. Most dandy’s were interested in the meaning of life simply for pleasure and for the enjoyment of their own beauty. However, the culture of the Victorian Age as well as the overall philosophies that were contributing to society show that there was more depth and meaning associated with life. The dandy didn’t contribute to this, but instead rejected the realities of life, sorrows that were surrounding it and the other contributions that could be made to life. The societal demands were ignored by the dandy, and instead, there was the belief that life should be enjoyed despite the pains others were going through. From this perspective, it could be seen that the dandy didn’t find the meaning to life, but instead ignored the reality of the life during this time frame (Buckley, 1951). Conclusion The concept of the dandy has gone through a long history and several definitions that are based on beauty and the cult of the self. The representation in society moved into a different set of philosophies within literature and through the Victorian Age that debated whether this specific concept was a worthy philosophy. From the presentation of the dandy, as well as the opposing views, it can be seen that the dandy didn’t have a fit understanding of life. The main contributions of the dandy were based on narcissist thoughts as well as beauty that were fleeting. More importantly, the Victorian Age demanded a different level of thinking that contributed to society and provided more opportunities within society. Instead of the dandy recognizing these concepts, they rebelled against them and turned against the realities of life that needed support. References Annunzio, Gabriele. (2000). Il Picare: The Pleasure. New York: 1st Books Library. Buckley, Jerome. (1951). The Victorian Temper: A Study in Literary Culture. UK: Cambridge University Press. Chancellor, E Berseford. (2007). Life in Regency and Early Victorian Times. New York: JM Classic Editions. James, Louis. (1981). “The View from Brick Lane: Contrasting Perspectives in Working Class and Middle Class Fiction of the Early Victorian Period.” The Yearbook of English Studies. (11). Jesse, Captain William. (1927). The Life of Beau Brummell. London: The Navarre Society. Moers, Ellen. (1960). The Dandy: Brummell to Beerbohm. London: Secker and Warburg. Nicolay, Claire. (1998). Origins and Reception of Regency Dandyism: Brummel to Baudelaire. Chicago: University of Chicago. Wharton, Grace and Phillip. (1861). Wits and Beaux of Society. New York: Harper and Brothers. Wilde, Oscar. (1992). The Picture of Dorian Gray. New York: Pocket Books. Young, GM. (1999). Victorian England: Portrait of an Age. New York: A1 Books. Read More