In these two works of art, we can appreciate the effect of exoticism. In the case of Bizet's <em>Carmen</em>, the author presents the story of a gypsy woman in Spain, Carmen. The story was an early example of realism, as the subject matter is common and harsh. Moreover, Carmen is far from the feminine ideal of the time, as she comes from the lower classes and exhibits many characteristics of dubious quality.
In Debussy's <em>Pagodes</em>, the composer evokes the sound of gamelan music (percusive instruments of the Javanese, Sundanese and Balinese people of Indonesia) while attempting to evoke the sounds of traditional Indonesian music. The ascending melodic line serves as a reminder of pagodas, which are the temples of these regions.
Exoticism refers to a trend in European art in which artists looked for inspiration in "exotic" places or cultures. The purpose of this inclusion was to generate curiosity and excitement for subjects that had never been encountered in Europe before. Both Bizet and Debussy included these exotic characteristics in their work for this reason, hoping that such elements would give a charming and mysterious quality to their work.
