In this paper, it is argued that there is a tension between the natural and the supernatural which contributes to an uncanny atmosphere in Oscar Wilde’s novel "The Picture of Dorian Gray". In order to fulfil the objectives of this thesis, this paper applies a Freudian psychoanalytic perspective to interpreting the 1891 version of the novel. Thus, Sigmund Freud’s essay The Uncanny (1919) serves as a basis for the novel’s analysis.
The paper therefore, begins to analyse the supernatural process of (de)humanisation, i.e. it illustrates how the boundaries of Dorian being human and of the portrait being a lifeless object blur. Section 2.2 explores the supernatural (anti)aging process, i.e. it focuses on the supernatural event of Dorian’s portrait aging in his stead while he remains young and beautiful. Section 2.3 emphasises the supernatural process of changing in Dorian’s and his portrait’s character, concentrating on the connection be-tween Dorian’s moral decay and the corresponding changes in his portrait’s appearance.
However, it will be illustrated that not only Dorian is responsible for the changing of the portrait but that the portrait appears to be supernaturally responsible for some of Dorian’s deeds. In section 2.4 the novel’s supernatural ending is presented before a conclusion is drawn in section 3.
Table of Contents
- 1. Introduction
- 2. The tension between the natural and the supernatural
- 2.1. The supernatural process of (de)humanisation
- 2.2. The supernatural process of (anti)aging
- 2.3. The supernatural process of changing in character
- 2.4. The supernatural ending
- 3. Conclusion
- 4. Bibliography
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper analyzes the uncanny atmosphere in Oscar Wilde's The Picture of Dorian Gray by exploring the tension between the natural and the supernatural. Using a Freudian psychoanalytic perspective, it examines how this tension manifests in the novel's narrative.
- The blurring of boundaries between the human and the inanimate.
- The supernatural process of aging and its uncanny implications.
- The interplay between Dorian's moral decay and the changes in his portrait.
- The humanization of the portrait and its agency within the narrative.
- The exploration of primal fears through supernatural motifs.
Chapter Summaries
1. Introduction: This introductory chapter situates Oscar Wilde's The Picture of Dorian Gray within the 19th-century fin-de-siècle Gothic tradition, highlighting the genre's tendency to reflect societal anxieties through supernatural elements. It establishes the central argument: that a tension between the natural and the supernatural creates an uncanny atmosphere in the novel. The chapter outlines the psychoanalytic approach, using Freud's essay "The Uncanny" as a framework for analysis, and previews the structure of the subsequent sections, which will examine the supernatural processes of (de)humanization, (anti)aging, and character change, culminating in an analysis of the novel's supernatural ending.
2. The tension between the natural and the supernatural: This chapter delves into the core theme of the supernatural in The Picture of Dorian Gray. It meticulously analyzes the interplay between the natural and the supernatural, establishing the foundation for understanding the uncanny elements present throughout the novel. Subsections explore the gradual humanization of the portrait and the supernatural nature of Dorian's wish fulfillment—a wish that directly contradicts the natural laws of aging and decay. By examining the consequences of this wish, the chapter illustrates how the novel utilizes supernatural elements to explore anxieties surrounding beauty, mortality, and the nature of the self.
Keywords
The Uncanny, Oscar Wilde, The Picture of Dorian Gray, Fin-de-siècle Gothic, Supernatural, Natural, (De)humanization, Aging, Psychoanalysis, Freud, Wish Fulfillment, Primal Fears.
Frequently Asked Questions: Oscar Wilde's *The Picture of Dorian Gray* - A Language Preview
What is this document?
This is a language preview providing a comprehensive overview of an academic paper analyzing Oscar Wilde's *The Picture of Dorian Gray*. It includes the table of contents, objectives and key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords.
What is the central theme of the paper?
The paper analyzes the uncanny atmosphere in *The Picture of Dorian Gray* by exploring the tension between the natural and the supernatural, focusing on how this tension manifests through a Freudian psychoanalytic lens.
What are the key themes explored in the paper?
Key themes include the blurring of boundaries between the human and the inanimate; the supernatural process of aging and its uncanny implications; the interplay between Dorian's moral decay and the changes in his portrait; the humanization of the portrait and its agency; and the exploration of primal fears through supernatural motifs.
What is the structure of the paper?
The paper is structured as follows: an introduction situating the novel within the 19th-century fin-de-siècle Gothic tradition; a chapter exploring the tension between the natural and the supernatural, including subsections on (de)humanization, (anti)aging, and character change; and a concluding chapter. A bibliography is also included.
What is the methodology used in the paper?
The paper uses a Freudian psychoanalytic approach, employing Freud's essay "The Uncanny" as a framework for analyzing the novel's supernatural elements and their psychological impact.
What specific aspects of the supernatural are analyzed?
The paper examines the supernatural processes of (de)humanization, (anti)aging, and character change within the narrative, culminating in an analysis of the novel's supernatural ending. It specifically investigates the gradual humanization of the portrait and the supernatural nature of Dorian's wish fulfillment.
What are the key words associated with this paper?
Key words include: The Uncanny, Oscar Wilde, *The Picture of Dorian Gray*, Fin-de-siècle Gothic, Supernatural, Natural, (De)humanization, Aging, Psychoanalysis, Freud, Wish Fulfillment, Primal Fears.
What is covered in the chapter summaries?
The chapter summaries provide detailed overviews of the introduction, which sets the stage for the analysis, and the core chapter focusing on the tension between the natural and the supernatural in *The Picture of Dorian Gray*. The introduction explains the methodology and previews the subsequent sections. The core chapter delves into the interplay between the natural and supernatural, analyzing the humanization of the portrait and Dorian's wish fulfillment.
For whom is this document intended?
This document is intended for academic use, supporting the analysis of themes in Oscar Wilde's *The Picture of Dorian Gray* in a structured and professional manner.
- Quote paper
- Julia Ernert (Author), 2022, Oscar Wilde's "The Picture of Dorian Gray". The Uncanny Tension Between the Natural and the Supernatural, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1441719
