Style and Form and Perspective for The Art of Travel: Medium
of Production:
Overall structure:
Each chapter is a condensed
version of a stage of travel and of
de Bottons arguments about
travel.
(You need to have read every
section and have read summaries
of every section)
Postmodern structure and Multi-
modal arrangement:
(blend of different text types eg
visuals and written)
Intertextuality
Cyclical-last chapter connects with
first.
Juxtapositions between two
places.
Visual imagery/poetic imagery-
lyrical
Interconnecting factors, motifs
A conflation between the
experience of other travellers and
his own
Privileged perspective:
The text is structured around
philosophical stages as well as
physical experiences of travelling.
Chapter Headings and Sub-
headings
Departure
Motives
Landscape
Art
Return
(pairings of chapters)
Each chapter is introduced with a
symbolic image and two
subheadings-highlighting the way
the text mimics a travelogue as
well as an emphasis on the visual
representation of travel.
There are links to other texts.
Eg: London and Barbados
Eg: Modernist techniques when
referring to Liminal spaces.
Eg: Clouds, trees, sky, stations.
Eg: Worsdworth and Lakes District
He uses an educated tone and at
times comes across as a world
weary traveller.
Formal diction: When referring to other
composers, historical events or
philosophy.

Selection and emphasis: He selects examples to suit his

argument and purpose
Tone:
At times, cynical, others reflective
or joyous. Sometimes didactic.
Always adopts a philosophical
stance.
Facts-non-fiction-historical
allusions

Central ideas key chapters: (must apply to real, imagined and

remembered)

Departure:

1. On Anticipation: (psychological knots)

a. That environments may be represented as uncomfortable or a
catalyst for change-or imagined landscapes. Eg London.
b. That there may be a divide between the anticipation and the
reality within a landscape-mainly due to the fact that one cant
escape the reality of themselves-and the complications of being
human. Paradoxically, the pleasure is to to be gained if we don't
inhabit a place with all its complications.
c. That one can oversimplify a representation of a landscape to
mental images-cut away certain elements.

Composers may represent that ones tendency to over simplify an

imagined landscape may cause complications

2. On Travelling Places:

a. That an individual may find solace and comfort in unusual places

(the liminal). That one may feel liberated by transience-
overcoming feelings of stagnation and confinement.
b. That travelling through landscapes allows for introspection.

Motives:

1. On the Exotic
 a. That the exotic may provide relief from the mundane in life.
b. That novelty and change may provide relief from ordinary life-
satisfying hunger above the mundane of life-relieving what we
lack.

2. On Curiosity: (good for those doing related texts on

exploration and colonisation)

a. That people may perceive landscapes in terms of measurement

and reducing it to definable terms or a series of answers to
questions.

A landscape may allow an individual to reimagine a former experience

and gain a sense of renewal and respite of ordinary life

Landscape:

1. On the Country and the City:

a. That a landscape can allow an individual to reimagine a former
experience.
b. That composers may regard landscapes as a means of renewal from
a mundane life.
c. That composers may allow individuals to gain a sense of respite from
the world and seek good in ourselves.

2. On the Sublime:

a. That landscapes may inspire individuals to feel awe and respect

Art:

1. On Eye -Opening Art:

a. That artworks may help us determine where to travel as a stimulus
but that they select and emphasise certain aspects. We can find things
that delight us on canvas and then later welcome them in a place
where the canvas was painted.

2. On Possessing Beauty:
a. That landscapes may incite a desire to take ownership of the
landscape.

On Return:
a. It is the mindset that one carries with oneself that determines ones
experience that is important.
b. One can find pleasure at home!
Main passages on philosophy: Significance-for communities.
Overraching ideas: Human experience: Events/Personalities and
Situations

(knots)

What is his purpose?

P9 : If our lives.flourishing.

P25: Our capacity.respect.

P41. There is psychological pleasure..

P57. Journeys are the midwives of thought

P78 The charm of foreign places arises from novelty and change.

P124. A danger of travel.

P139. Redemptive power of natural forces.

P169. Sublime landscapes..

P218 A dominant impulse..