The Critic as Artist - Oscar Wilde

Oscar Wilde uses his essay The Critic as Artist to discuss his view that a critique is the highest form of art. The form that he uses to put these ideas forth is a discussion between two men, Ernest and Gilbert. This style of writing works well for the essay because it allows Wilde (through Gilbert) to express his ideas and also address questions and problems that one might have with what he posits. I cannot say that I fully agreed with Gilbert's argument when I first began reading the essay, but as I moved through it Gilbert was very persuasive and I now agree that the critic is indeed an artist.
The sentence that really convinced me comes on page 904 and it comes right after Ernest asks, "But is Criticism really a creative art?" Gilbert responds, "Why should it not be? it works with materials, and puts them into a form that is at once new and delightful. What more can one say of poetry?"
Wilde's point that "Anybody can write a three-volumed novel. It merely requires a complete ignorance of both life and literature," can be held true of any art form. Anyone can paint a mural, draw a portrait, write a poem, or write a piece of music. This said, it takes a true genius to do any of these things well and the same goes for writing critiques. Because a critique is indeed an art form, it is true that anybody can write one, but a good critic will take it upon oneself to become familiar with the art they are critiquing and only then can their piece be considered a masterpiece.