Two stories, two authors, two epochs – to compare them will be the purpose of this paper by focussing on the two portraits which are each the important element of their story. At the same time, confusing and paradoxical relationships between art, life and death constitute the thematic centre of both stories. The portraits, as pieces of visual art, are presented in a verbal or ekphrastic form. Why and how are they represented with words? To answer this questions I will first give an overview about ekphrastic theory, second classify the narrative situations, third compare the relations of observer and observed subject and finally by the discussion of their function and importance.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Ekphrastic Theory
- Analysis
- The narrative structure of "The Oval Portrait" and "The Picture of Dorian Gray"
- Who watches whom?
- Ekphrastic characteristics
- The Titles
- "The Oval Portrait"
- "The Picture of Dorian Gray"
- The importance of the portraits
- Conclusion
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper aims to compare Edgar Allan Poe's "The Oval Portrait" and Oscar Wilde's "The Picture of Dorian Gray" by focusing on the portraits as central elements within their respective narratives. The paper explores the complex and paradoxical relationships between art, life, and death, which constitute the thematic center of both stories. It investigates how visual art is verbally represented and analyzes the narratives' structure and the relationship between the observer and the observed.
- Ekphrasis as a literary technique
- The relationship between art, life, and death
- The role of the portrait in each narrative
- Narrative structure and perspective
- The observer-observed dynamic
Chapter Summaries
Introduction: This introductory chapter sets the stage for the comparative analysis by introducing Edgar Allan Poe and Oscar Wilde, highlighting their distinct styles and approaches to writing within their respective historical contexts. It establishes the thematic focus on the intertwining of art, life, and death, particularly as represented through the motif of the beautiful dead woman in Poe's work and the aestheticism and decadence of Wilde's era. The chapter positions the subsequent analysis by framing the central question: how and why are the portraits in these stories represented verbally, and what is their significance?
Ekphrastic Theory: This chapter delves into the theoretical underpinnings of ekphrasis, exploring its historical evolution and diverse interpretations. It introduces Murray Krieger's work, examining his classification of ekphrasis and its development from epigrams to emblem poetry, showing how ekphrasis has evolved to achieve equivalence with its visual object and its capacity for creating illusions. The chapter establishes a framework for understanding how the verbal descriptions of the portraits function within the broader context of literary theory.
Analysis: This chapter, encompassing sub-chapters focusing on narrative structure, the observer-observed relationship, and the ekphrastic characteristics of the portraits, provides a detailed comparative analysis of Poe's "The Oval Portrait" and Wilde's "The Picture of Dorian Gray." It examines the narrative structures of both stories, exploring how the portraits function as narrative devices and how the perspectives of the observers influence the story. It analyzes the ekphrastic aspects of the descriptions and explores the significance of the portraits as works of art within the respective narratives. The chapter integrates the findings of the sub-sections into a cohesive discussion of the overarching themes of art, life, and death in the context of ekphrasis.
Keywords
Ekphrasis, Edgar Allan Poe, Oscar Wilde, The Oval Portrait, The Picture of Dorian Gray, art, life, death, narrative structure, visual representation, observer, observed, aestheticism, decadence, symbolism.
FAQ: A Comparative Analysis of "The Oval Portrait" and "The Picture of Dorian Gray"
What is the overall purpose of this paper?
This paper compares Edgar Allan Poe's "The Oval Portrait" and Oscar Wilde's "The Picture of Dorian Gray," focusing on the portraits as central narrative elements. It explores the complex interplay between art, life, and death, analyzing how visual art is verbally represented and examining the narratives' structure and observer-observed dynamics.
What are the key themes explored in the paper?
The key themes include ekphrasis as a literary technique, the relationship between art, life, and death, the role of the portraits in each narrative, narrative structure and perspective, and the observer-observed dynamic.
What is the structure of the paper?
The paper is structured into an introduction, a chapter on ekphrastic theory, a detailed comparative analysis (including sub-chapters on narrative structure, the observer-observed relationship, and ekphrastic characteristics of the portraits), and a conclusion. A table of contents, objectives, chapter summaries, and keywords are also provided.
What is ekphrasis, and how is it relevant to this paper?
Ekphrasis is a literary technique where a work of art (visual, in this case) is described verbally. The paper delves into ekphrastic theory, exploring its historical evolution and diverse interpretations, and uses this framework to analyze how the verbal descriptions of the portraits function within the narratives.
How does the paper analyze "The Oval Portrait" and "The Picture of Dorian Gray"?
The comparative analysis examines the narrative structures of both stories, exploring how the portraits function as narrative devices and how the perspectives of the observers influence the story. It analyzes the ekphrastic aspects of the descriptions and explores the significance of the portraits as works of art within the respective narratives, focusing on the overarching themes of art, life, and death in the context of ekphrasis.
What is the significance of the portraits in each story?
The paper argues that the portraits are not merely decorative elements but crucial narrative devices that reveal the complex relationships between art, life, and death. Their verbal representation is analyzed to uncover their symbolic meaning and contribution to the overall narrative.
What is the role of the observer-observed dynamic?
The paper investigates the power dynamics between the observer and the observed in both stories. It explores how the act of observing affects both the artwork and the observer, highlighting the complex interplay of perspectives.
What are the key findings of the analysis?
The detailed analysis integrates findings from the sub-sections to create a cohesive discussion of the overarching themes. Specific conclusions regarding the interplay between art, life, death, narrative structure, and the observer-observed dynamic are drawn through a close reading of both texts.
What are some of the keywords associated with this paper?
Key terms include ekphrasis, Edgar Allan Poe, Oscar Wilde, "The Oval Portrait," "The Picture of Dorian Gray," art, life, death, narrative structure, visual representation, observer, observed, aestheticism, decadence, and symbolism.
- Quote paper
- Nancy Reinhardt (Author), 2007, The use of ekphrasis in comparison of Edgar Allan Poes´s 'The Oval Portrait' and Oscar Wilde´s 'The Picture of Dorian Gray', Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/131489
