‘Basil Hallward is what I think I am: Lord Henry what the world thinks me: Dorian what I would like to be—in other ages‚ perhaps.’ – Oscar Wilde in a letter[1] It is a recognized fallacy to equate the experiences of an author with those of a fictional character‚ even if said character happens to be the protagonist of the author’s most influential work. Nevertheless‚ there are some cases when this line of thought may be justified: not in the way of mindlessly
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The Picture of Dorian Gray‚ James Vane is extremely protective of his sister and wants to provide for his family‚ therefore‚ making him exhibit the “father-figure” role the best. James is Sibyl’s sixteen year old brother who is becoming a sailor and is getting ready to leave for Australia. As the brother of Sibyl‚ James acts more as “father-figure” or guardian to his sister rather than her sibling. Sibyl is falling in love with a handsome‚ young man named Dorian Gray. James hears
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Society” in Oscar Wilde’s single novel The Picture of Dorian Gray. The main reason why this novel has been chosen is because the title of the novel attracted my attention. Moreover‚ the idea of a portrait that changes appearance raised my curiosity to read and analyze the novel. The goal of this diploma paper is to explore the disagreement between Victorian values and reality by reading and analyzing the above mentioned novel. The Picture of Dorian Gray does not display exactly the theme of society‚ yet
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Controversy has surrounded Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray since its publication‚ but critics often disagree on the how the ethics of the tale conflict with the morality of society‚ both then and now. It was common belief that‚ when the novel was first published‚ the story was immoral and the themes of decadence offended the seemingly “delicate” senses of the Victorian society. (“Oscar Wilde” 408) However‚ now that a different culture has developed and minds have opened‚ the ethics of the
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Commonly deformity is symbolic… whether it represents the good and purity in someone or the corruption in their very soul is a different story. In the book‚ “Dorian Gray” by Oscar Wilde‚ deformity is used to symbolize the corruption and degradation of Dorian’s soul. Dorian’s own beauty could be considered a deformity and this deformity destroyed Dorian’s life. He has an unnatural‚ surreal beauty and it’s this beauty that causes him to become so evil and corrupted. It’s the reason behind his madness
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Should art be or do anything? There is a wide spectrum of opinions from critics and artists on what art should be or do. Oscar Wilde argues in his preface to “The Picture of Dorian Gray” that art is beauty or a symbol‚ but beneath that is left to the interpretation of the spectator. In Gustave Courbet’s essay “Realist Manifesto” art is knowledge to draw from to inspire his own individuality and to create living art. Although both essays bear some superficial similarities‚ the difference between Wilde’s
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In “The Picture of Dorian Grey” by Oscar Wilde‚ Dorian has a profound reaction each time he views the change in the painting‚ and he reacts with a self-pitying‚ vain attitude. Vanity haunts Dorian‚ and he cares only about how this change in the painting will affect himself and his outer beauty only. At first‚ Dorian worries about how his treatment of Sibyl Vane will affect the painting. He cares not about the cruel acts he committed‚ but rather dwells on how it will taint or tarnish the beauty of
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theme of influence is portrayed by the character of Henry Wotton in Dorian Gray. Even in the opening chapter of the book‚ he is seen to have an influence over Dorian with his musical language‚ charm‚ and unconventionality. The ideals he stands for‚ the value of beauty and youth over any socially accepted moral code‚ grabbed Dorian’s attention with their uniqueness‚ while Wotton himself allowed his words to enrapture Dorian. Dorian admits that “The few words that [Wotton] had said to him… had touched
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Identity in Great Expectations and The Picture of Dorian Gray An old saying goes‚ “you are who your friends are‚” and while many people refuse to believe the statement‚ its message has reigned true for many centuries and will continue to reign true until the end of time. The individuals with whom a person chooses to surround him or herself with greatly impacts the person he or she will inevitably become. In addition to shaping personality and morality‚ friends and peers assist in discerning how
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Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray and Henry James’ The Turn Of the Screw are key examples of the way in which gothic texts use and adapt the conventions of the genre. These changes occur due to the author’s own personal context and values. The inexorable link between text‚ context and values is expressed through the way in which both authors choose to manipulate‚ redefine and introduce new conventions to the gothic. Oscar Wilde’s first and only novel‚ The Picture of Dorian Gray‚ was written in 1890
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