The Philistine: "Books to Burn" 1898

Editor: Here we have W.W. Denslow’s 1898 print, "The Philistine: 'Books to Burn.'" The image shows a figure gleefully setting books ablaze. The flames almost look like they're devouring knowledge itself! How do you interpret this work? Curator: Well, this piece throws us right into a historical moment of intense cultural debate. The late 19th century saw the rise of both literary experimentation and conservative backlash. Denslow, known for his work in children's literature like The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, uses caricature here to critique—or perhaps satirize—the conflict between artistic expression and societal norms. Consider the title itself, "The Philistine." Who are the philistines in this scenario, and what values are they defending? Editor: So, burning books represents a rejection of new ideas, or a fear of them? Curator: Precisely. But it’s not as simple as “anti-intellectualism.” We need to ask *why* these ideas were perceived as threatening. Were they challenging established power structures? Religious dogma? Social conventions? What happens when certain voices and narratives are deemed dangerous enough to be silenced or destroyed? And does this image valorize or critique the burning of books? Editor: I guess I hadn't thought about who gets to decide what's "dangerous." That makes the image way more complicated. Curator: Exactly! Denslow’s print invites us to consider how cultural anxieties shape censorship and the suppression of dissenting voices, which is as relevant today as it was in 1898. Art serves as an enduring document of those struggles. Editor: I never would have seen all those layers just looking at it on my own. Thanks! Curator: And thank you for reminding us that art isn’t created in a vacuum. Its power lies in its ability to spark these critical conversations.