In 'On Late Style,' Edward Said profoundly explores the phenomenon of artists who, late in their careers, produce works that are complex, contradictory, and often defy easy categorization or public expectation. Said examines figures across music and literature—from Beethoven to Richard Strauss, and from Cavafy to Thomas Mann—to understand this unique mode of creation. He delves into how these late works often reflect a profound engagement with mortality, an embrace of discord, or a deliberate turning away from popular appeal, embodying a spirit of resistance and an unyielding commitment to their artistic vision, pushing boundaries and challenging conventional aesthetic norms.