Lev Tolstoy compares art to words by stating that art is a form of communication. The communication that Tolstoy writes about in "What is art?" 'art?" is of two kinds, good and bad. According to Tolstoy, good art is that which leads humanity towards perfection (Tolstoy 383). word is what teaches the knowledge of human history, but art is what teaches the emotions of humanity's past. As knowledge becomes obsolete in society, it is replaced by new and more relevant information emotions act in the same way. The purpose of art is to express new and more relevant feelings for humanity. It is instructive for the reader to point out that the. Tolstoy's use of the word "art" speaks of a broad sphere of artistic expressions. Among these expressions are literature, poetry, painting, sculpture and music humanity and allows us to emphasize the commonalities in humanity. Tolstoy describes these commonalities as man's need for union with God and with each other. Good art, for Tolstoy, is art that expresses itself through religious perception. This religious perception is how the culture of our time views its most important values. This is similar to William Wordsworth's ideas for literature. For Wordsworth it is important that the author of the work expresses emotions that the common man can identify with. For Tolstoy, as for Wordsworth, it is essential that the work is accessible and understandable to all people. That's why Tolstoy supposed that music was... the center of the paper... t. It is important that art is both accessible and enjoyable for the common man. According to Tolstoy a work of art does not need to follow all the guidelines given in the past, such as Aristotle's teaching on the Unities, as long as it carries with it the principles of education and enjoyment. Tolstoy believes that the greatest of unities is the unity found in God and with others. The purpose of art is to highlight and influence this unification. Works Cited Tolstoy, Leone. “What is art?” Kaplan, Charles and William Anderson. Criticism: MajorStatements. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin, 2000. 382-393. Print.Coleridge, Samuel Taylor. “Biographica Literaria” Kaplan, Charles and William Anderson. Criticism: important statements. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin's, 2000. 261.Print.