The Picture of Dorian Gray as an Imitation of Aestheticism
The Picture of Dorian Gray, the only full-length novel ever written by the legendary playwright Oscar Wilde, is one of the most notorious books of the 19th century. With its overtones of supernaturalism, its refusal to satisfy popular morality, and its portrayal of homoerotic culture, The Picture of Dorian Gray was met with harsh criticism when it was first published in 1890. Many considered the novel dangerously influential, with one offended critic calling it "a poisonous book, the atmosphere of which is heavy with the mephitic odors of moral and spiritual putrefaction." Many of the themes and innuendos of homosexuality and moral corruption that Wilde so intricately weaved throughout the book have stirred up countless controversies and scandals. Ultimately, however, although the book seems to be a gothic twisted tale of pain and indifference, as it portrays the decay of the main character, Dorian, into a seedy underworld that is characterized by murder and quite often visits to opium houses, it is really a refinement of aestheticism. Wilde, who was intrinsically involved in the aesthetic movement and is even given credit by Richard Ellman to have been the sole reason for the artistic character of the 1880's (305), wrote the b
As the painting ages and deteriorates due to Dorian's moral corruption, he manages to stay youthful and unchanged over time. In Dorian gray, it is portrayed conversely as the portrait, the art, imitates the moral decay and corruption of Dorian, the life. Lord Henry's ironic speech cuts through social convention and hypocrisy to reveal unexpected and sometimes unpleasant truths. Ironically Wilde would ultimately not only write about the ideal that life imitates art, but he also would eventually live out the theory as his life would imitate his own greatest work of art, Dorian Gray. Dorian is not only influenced by his painting and the yellow book but is controlled by them. More particularly, the relationships and affects that the characters have on each other serve up a perfect corpus that really portrays all aspects of aestheticism. It achieved however controversially, to portray the true ideals behind the aesthetic movement; that art is necessary and influential in life. Such an ability is reserved by Lord Henry early in the book to be something that only works of art are capable of. This extreme is used to show, however exaggerated, the aesthetic view that are does have a huge influence over people. Dorian is at the outset someone who Basil fears is open to the influence of Lord Henry, and fears that it will spoil Dorian. His determination to live a life of beauty and to mold his life into a work of art is reflected in the beliefs and actions of several characters in Wilde's only novel. The Preface to The Picture of Dorian Gray is a collection of epigrams that aptly sums up the ideals of the artistic and philosophical movement known as aestheticism. Art beig a necessity to society, influences of art, and influences of people in our lives ultimately come together to form the main aphorism of the aesthetic movement; Life imitates art. Basil's fear is well founded, as before the end of his first conversation with Lord Henry, Dorian is "dimly conscious that entirely fresh influences were at work within him" (30).
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