Now the work of art also represents a state of final equilibrium, of accomplished order and maximum relative entropy, and there are those who resent it. But art is not meant to stop the stream of life. Within a narrow span of duration and space the work of art concentrates a view of the human condition; and sometimes it marks the steps of progression, just as a man climbing the dark stairs of a medieval tower assures himself by the changing sights glimpsed through its narrow windows that he is getting somewhere after all.

Summary

This quote suggests that a work of art captures a sense of balance, order, and entropy in the human condition. However, there are individuals who resent this portrayal because they believe that art should not serve as a barrier to the flow of life. Art, though it may exist within a limited time and space, provides a concentrated perspective on the human experience and can sometimes serve as milestones in the progression of understanding. It is compared to a man ascending a medieval tower staircase, who gains assurance in his progress through the changing sights visible from its small windows.

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