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Question

All art is a blend of form and content; and it is through certain excellences characterising either, that the artist succeeds in inducing in us the artistic attitude. In the case of poetry, for example, the content is constituted by the figurative ideas, and sentiments it expresses : and the form, by the musical language through which they find expression. Of these, the form varies much from one art to another; and it is also technical. We shall not refer to it here at any length, and shall confine our attention mainly to the content. We shall only observe, in passing, that the legitimate function of form is to subserve the content; and if it assumes greater importance, the work in which it does so marks a lapse from the best type of art. The content of art may be defined generally as the meaning which it expresses. The excellences that may characterize it are many, and they have been classified in various ways.

What is legitimate function of form?

This question was previously asked in
UGC NET 2019 Paper 1 Question Paper (5-Dec-2019) (Shift 2)
The correct answer is

To subserve the content

The question tests your understanding of the relationship between form and content in art, particularly focusing on their function. The statement provided in the comprehension passage describes the interaction between form and content in art.

  1. Understanding the Context: The passage explains that in any art form, be it poetry or visual arts, there are two essential components:
    • Form: This is the technical or aesthetic structure in which the art is presented, such as musical language in poetry.
    • Content: This refers to the meaning, ideas, or sentiments expressed through the art.
  2. Analyzing the Function of Form:
    • The passage succinctly states, "the legitimate function of form is to subserve the content."
    • To "subserve" means to serve as a subordinate or to be used for a particular purpose.
    • Thus, in art, form is meant to enhance, support, and effectively convey the content.
    • If the form overshadows the content, it is considered a deviation from the ideal artistic expression.
  3. Correct Option Justification:
    • The option "To subserve the content" is the correct answer because it aligns with the described legitimate relationship between form and content as outlined in the passage.
    • Other options such as "To obverse the content," "To reject the content," and "To subsume the content" do not align with the idea of form serving the purpose of content.

In conclusion, the correct answer is that the legitimate function of form is To subserve the content.

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