"Caught up in life, you see it badly. You suffer from it or enjoy it too much. The artist, in my opinion, is a monstrosity, something outside of nature"

In this quote, Gustave Flaubert articulates a complicated understanding of the artist's role and existence. He suggests that being "captured up in life" impedes one's ability to perceive reality in its whole. When people are deeply entangled in the experiences and feelings of everyday life, their point of views become manipulated, swayed by the intensity of suffering or pleasure. This immersion in the immediate truths of life can either amplify the pains or happiness they encounter, possibly leading to a distorted view of the world.

Flaubert then contrasts this common human experience with the nature of an artist. He describes the artist as a "monstrosity" and "something beyond nature", suggesting that an artist stands apart from the regular experiences of life. This characterization recommends that artists embody an unique detachment, permitting them to observe and translate the world from a range that most people do not. In this detachment, there is both an expectation and an acknowledgment of the artist's ability to transcend common point of views, offering insights that are unattainable when one is "captured up in life."

Calling the artist a "monstrosity" can be understood in multiple methods. It might point to the concept that artists defy natural conventions, assuming roles or embodying qualities that appear unnatural or extraordinary. This detachment from nature might not be unfavorable but rather suggests an essential separation that gives artists the freedom to check out and interact much deeper realities.

Additionally, Flaubert's choice of words highlights the social view of artists as abnormalities, often revered or misinterpreted due to their distinct viewpoint. By existing "outside of nature", artists are both observers and interpreters, transporting experiences into art that resonates on a different frequency from common human experience. This position allows them to show the appeals and grotesqueries of life, supplying a mirror to truth that can provoke idea and emotion beyond the immediate and the surface-level interactions that control life.