This paper examines Henry James`s criticism of aestheticism in "The Lesson of the Master"(1888). For a long time most of critics have considered St. George`s advice to be that of Henry James on the basis of James`s biography, considering it as Modernist aesthetics of alienation or as a expression of ideology of patriarchal system. But we cannot evaluate the ultimate value of this work within this frame. We can grasp James`s criticism of St. George`s stance as an aesthete only when we discuss the work within the context of salvation of society through art in the late 19th century. Then, we can see through St. George`s statements about the renunciations of artists for the perfection of art and recognize him as a spokesman of aestheticism. Even Paul has some preconceptions of aestheticism and, thus, falls a victim to St. George`s advice.