Poe was a writer of gothic novels and the influences of it can be seen in William Wilson. There are of course many different ways to interpret this story but this term paper focuses on the idea that Wilson’s double functions as his own conscience as well as society’s conscience. In order to have a better understanding of this concept, Freud’s psychoanalysis will be used as a foundation to this analysis.
The second chapter focuses on Oscar Wild’s The Picture of Dorian Gray. In this novel, the double takes on a completely different shape but symbolises the same inner conflict. This novel was written in a time, when the motif of the double was already in decline and it will be interesting to see in how far these two stories differ. In order to compare the novel to Poe’s short story the focus will be similar to William Wilson in so far as the role of the double will be analysed. Does Dorian Gray’s portrait act as a conscience as well? Here again Freud’s psychoanalysis as well as his essay the Uncanny will be regarded as a source. The Picture of Dorian Gray can be analysed in many different ways. There is the topic of Art and aestheticism as well as a “cult of the senses”. It is, however, the topic of the double, realised through a portrait of the Self, which is the focus of this term paper. Other topics will only be discussed in connection to the main focus.
Table of Contents
1 Introduction
2 William Wilson and the double as the super-ego
2.1 Wilson’s conscience
2.2 being society’s conscience
3 The Double in The Picture of Dorian Gray
3.1 Dorian Gray’s conscience
3.2 The Double as the keeper of Dorian’s secrets
4 Conclusion
Objectives and Research Focus
This paper examines the motif of the double in Edgar Allan Poe’s "William Wilson" and Oscar Wilde’s "The Picture of Dorian Gray," utilizing Freudian psychoanalysis to explore how the double functions as both a personal and social conscience within the context of 19th-century literature.
- Analysis of the double as a manifestation of the superego and split identity.
- Comparison of the psychological internal conflict in both 19th-century literary works.
- Examination of the relationship between narcissistic personality structures and the creation of a double.
- Investigation into how the double serves as a mechanism for suppressing moral accountability and hiding secret lifestyles.
Excerpt from the Book
1 Introduction
From ancient Folklore over children’s stories all the way to modern super heroes; the motif of the double seems to encounter us everywhere. Peter Pan, for example, was chasing his shadow, which had a mind of its own and managed to detach itself from Peter’s body. And modern superheroes, like Spiderman, tend to lead two lives to conceal their second identity. These two examples show that the motif of the double appears in more than one form. It can appear in the shape of a mirror or a picture, or it can be a physical person or a supernatural being. Whatever shape the double takes, it represents a division of the personality. This term paper focuses on two stories representing two different appearances of the double but the same inner conflict. Edgar Allan Poe’s William Wilson, as well as Oscar Wild’s The picture of Dorian Gray, were both written in the 19th century. Although the motive goes back many centuries, the 19th century is particularly interesting with regards to the motif of the double because it seems to mark both, the peak as well as the decline of this genre. It is rooted in the gothic novel of the late 18th and early 19th century, where it is used as a device to focus on split identities or the psychological evil of a person. It was during this time that authors had an increasing awareness of the psychology of evil, which seems to come from within. The development of the double-ganger is a very interesting one, which will, nonetheless, not be covered in this term paper.
Chapter Summaries
1 Introduction: Provides an overview of the double motif in literature and establishes the focus on Poe and Wilde through the lens of Freudian psychoanalysis.
2 William Wilson and the double as the super-ego: Explores how Wilson's double functions as a manifestation of his own internal morality and the broader social conscience.
2.1 Wilson’s conscience: Analyzes the emergence of the double in Wilson's childhood and school years as a reaction to his narcissistic ego.
2.2 being society’s conscience: Discusses how the double reflects the rigid pedagogical environment of the 19th century and the internal split within the protagonist.
3 The Double in The Picture of Dorian Gray: Investigates the dual function of the portrait as both a mirror of Dorian’s conscience and a vessel for hiding his secrets.
3.1 Dorian Gray’s conscience: Examines the creation of the portrait and how Dorian’s narcissism triggers a split of the Self.
3.2 The Double as the keeper of Dorian’s secrets: Details how the portrait acts as an archive of Dorian’s hidden lifestyle and moral transgressions.
4 Conclusion: Synthesizes the findings, noting that despite different forms, both protagonists face the same fatal outcome by failing to integrate their doubles.
Keywords
Double motif, William Wilson, The Picture of Dorian Gray, Freudian psychoanalysis, Superego, Narcissism, Split identity, Gothic novel, Conscience, Modern Self, Moral burden, 19th-century literature, Alter ego, Psychological evil, Taboo.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the central focus of this research paper?
The paper explores the literary motif of the double in two 19th-century works, analyzing how the "double" serves as a representation of the protagonist's conscience or superego.
What are the primary thematic areas explored?
The research covers the psychology of evil, the division of the inner self, narcissism, and the societal pressures that lead to split identities in literature.
What is the core research objective?
The objective is to compare how Edgar Allan Poe and Oscar Wilde utilize the double to externalize the internal conflicts and moral failures of their protagonists.
Which scientific methodology is applied to the analysis?
The author uses Freudian psychoanalytic theory—specifically concepts regarding the superego, ego, and id—to interpret the behavior of the characters.
What does the main body of the work cover?
It provides a detailed analysis of Wilson's school days and his psychological development in Poe's work, followed by a study of Dorian Gray's portrait and the concealment of his lifestyle in Wilde's novel.
How would you characterize the work using keywords?
Key terms include: Double motif, Superego, Narcissism, Split identity, Conscience, and 19th-century Gothic novel.
Why is the "double" in William Wilson considered a persecutor?
The double consistently interferes with Wilson's actions, acting as an externalized conscience that prevents him from fully indulging in his narcissistic and evil desires.
How does Dorian Gray's relationship with his double differ from Wilson's?
Unlike Wilson, who is hunted by his double, Dorian Gray repeatedly seeks out his portrait, initially finding pleasure in the contrast between his youthful appearance and the aging, stained image of his soul.
What is the significance of the portrait in The Picture of Dorian Gray?
The portrait serves as both a moral record (conscience) and a hiding place for Dorian’s secret, hedonic, and potentially scandalous lifestyle.
Why do both protagonists ultimately face a similar, tragic end?
Both characters fail to acknowledge that the double is a part of themselves; by attempting to destroy this externalized self, they inadvertently destroy their own lives and hope for moral redemption.
- Quote paper
- Lucia Vitzthum (Author), 2012, The Motif of the Doppelgänger in "William Wilson" and "The Picture of Dorian Gray", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/452227
