Style is a magic wand, and turns everything to gold that it touches

Style is a magic wand, and turns everything to gold that it touches

Logan Pearsall Smith, a renowned essayist and critic, once famously said, “Style is a magic wand, and turns everything to gold that it touches.” This quote encapsulates the power and influence of style in transforming the ordinary into the extraordinary. Smith believed that style was not just a superficial aspect of writing or art, but rather a transformative force that could elevate and enhance any subject matter it touched.

Smith himself was known for his elegant and sophisticated writing style, which captivated readers with its wit, charm, and insight. His essays and aphorisms were celebrated for their clarity, precision, and beauty of language. Smith understood the importance of style in conveying ideas effectively and persuasively, and he believed that a well-crafted sentence or phrase could have a profound impact on the reader.

In the context of Smith’s quote, “Style is a magic wand, and turns everything to gold that it touches,” it can be interpreted as a metaphor for the transformative power of art and literature. Just as a magician can turn base metal into gold with a wave of his wand, so too can a skilled writer or artist elevate the mundane and ordinary into something extraordinary and beautiful through the power of style.

Style, in this sense, is not just about aesthetics or ornamentation, but about the ability to imbue words and images with meaning, emotion, and resonance. A writer with a distinctive style can make even the most mundane subject matter come alive with vividness and vitality. Similarly, an artist with a unique style can transform everyday objects and scenes into works of art that inspire and captivate viewers.

Smith’s quote also speaks to the idea that style is a reflection of the artist’s personality, sensibility, and vision. Just as each magician has his own unique style and approach to magic, so too does each writer or artist have their own distinctive voice and perspective. By infusing their work with their own personal style, artists and writers can create a sense of intimacy and connection with their audience, drawing them into their world and inviting them to see the world through their eyes.