"Emotion resulting from a work of art is only of value when it is not obtained by sentimental blackmail"

This quote by Jean Cocteau recommends that emotion resulting from a work of art is just of worth when it is not obtained through manipulation. Cocteau is indicating that if an artist or creator of an artwork is attempting to control the audience into feeling a certain way, then the feeling that is felt is not genuine and therefore not of value. He is recommending that feeling must be a natural response to an artwork, not something that is forced upon the audience.

Cocteau is also suggesting that emotion must be an outcome of the work of art itself, not of any external factors. He is implying that if an artist is attempting to manipulate the audience into feeling a specific way, then the emotion is not authentic and therefore not of worth. He is recommending that emotion needs to be a natural reaction to a work of art, not something that is forced upon the audience.

In conclusion, Cocteau is suggesting that feeling resulting from a work of art is just of value when it is not gotten through adjustment or nostalgic blackmail. He is indicating that feeling should be a natural reaction to a masterpiece, not something that is forced upon the audience.