I came to the conclusion many years ago that almost all crime is due to the repressed desire for aesthetic expression

I came to the conclusion many years ago that almost all crime is due to the repressed desire for aesthetic expression

Evelyn Waugh, the renowned English writer known for his satirical novels and sharp wit, once famously said, "I came to the conclusion many years ago that almost all crime is due to the repressed desire for aesthetic expression." This statement, though seemingly provocative and controversial, holds a profound truth that can be applied to Waugh's own works and the society he critiqued.

Waugh's novels often explore the decadence and moral decay of the upper class in England, portraying characters who are driven by their desires for wealth, power, and status. These characters, in their pursuit of materialistic pleasures, commit various crimes and immoral acts that ultimately lead to their downfall. Waugh's observation that crime is rooted in the repressed desire for aesthetic expression can be seen in his portrayal of these characters, who are driven by a desire for beauty, luxury, and refinement, but are ultimately consumed by their own greed and selfishness.

One of Waugh's most famous works, "Brideshead Revisited," delves into the lives of the aristocratic Flyte family and their struggles with faith, love, and morality. The characters in the novel, particularly Sebastian Flyte and his sister Julia, are torn between their desire for aesthetic beauty and their obligations to their family and society. Sebastian, in his pursuit of pleasure and indulgence, turns to alcohol and self-destructive behavior, while Julia grapples with her forbidden love for the protagonist, Charles Ryder. These characters, though seemingly privileged and refined, are ultimately driven by their repressed desires for aesthetic expression, which leads them to commit acts of betrayal, deceit, and ultimately, tragedy.