Introduction
This essay is a contribution to a seminar in English Literature studies in detail a seminar about novels of the 19th century. It is assumed that the reader of this essay is familiar with the novel “the Picture of Dorian Gray” written by Oscar Wilde and first published in 1891. As basic knowledge the reader should consider the circumstances in Great Britain during the reign of Queen Victoria including the prevailing moral views. Some key words to describe the Victorian Age are prudish, repressed and old-fashioned. However, this age was also the time when reforms, innovations and revolutions took place or were about to begin. “Above all it was an age of paradox and power”
In this essay only some chosen aspects are taken into account for answering the topic question such as the character’s position in the Victorian Society, his violation of the code of conduct in that society and his resemblance of Lucifer.
There are two main parts in this essay the first deals with Dorian Gray as a rebel and the second and last takes a closer look on Dorian Gray’s develish features. In the end the reader has read many pro and contra arguments and finds a brief conclusion as an answer to the question of the title.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Dorian Gray as a rebel
- Dorian Gray - a rebellish gentlemen?
- The characters motivation for rebellism
- Is he a rebel or not?
- Dorian Gray as a devil
- The charm of Dorian Gray
- Is Dorian Gray in league with the devil?
- Conclusion
Objectives and Key Themes
This essay analyzes Oscar Wilde's The Picture of Dorian Gray, examining whether the protagonist is best characterized as a rebel or a devil. It explores Dorian Gray's actions within the context of Victorian society, considering his social standing, his transgressions against social norms, and his resemblance to Lucifer. The essay aims to provide a balanced perspective by presenting arguments for both interpretations.
- Dorian Gray's position within Victorian society
- Dorian Gray's motivations for rebellion (or perceived rebellion)
- Dorian Gray's morally questionable actions and their consequences
- The portrayal of Dorian Gray's charm and its influence
- Comparisons between Dorian Gray and the devil/Lucifer
Chapter Summaries
Introduction: This essay introduces the analysis of Oscar Wilde's The Picture of Dorian Gray, framing the central question of whether Dorian Gray is a rebel or a devil. It establishes the context of Victorian society, highlighting its paradoxes and the prevailing moral views of the era. The essay's structure is outlined, indicating the focus on Dorian Gray's social position, his transgressions, and his Luciferian aspects. The introduction sets the stage for a nuanced examination of Dorian Gray's character, acknowledging the complexity of the question at hand.
Dorian Gray as a rebel: This section delves into whether Dorian Gray's actions constitute rebellion against Victorian society. The analysis considers his social standing—an inheritor of wealth and educated as a gentleman—and how this position both facilitated and complicated his transgressions. The essay examines the specific ways in which he defied societal expectations and conventions, referencing specific incidents and passages from the novel to support the argument. It also explores the motivations behind his actions, investigating whether they stem from a conscious desire for rebellion or other underlying factors. The chapter seeks to define "rebellion" within the Victorian context and gauge Dorian Gray's actions against this definition.
Dorian Gray as a devil: This part of the essay examines the extent to which Dorian Gray embodies devilish characteristics. It analyzes his charm, his manipulative nature, and the consequences of his actions, drawing parallels to Luciferian figures. The essay explores the seductive power of Dorian Gray's beauty and how this influenced his relationships and actions. It investigates the moral corruption that permeates the narrative and explores the symbolic representation of his portrait as a reflection of his soul. This section moves beyond outward behaviors to examine the inner turmoil and moral decay experienced by the character.
Keywords
Oscar Wilde, The Picture of Dorian Gray, Victorian Era, Victorian Society, Rebellion, Morality, Temptation, Devil, Lucifer, Social Conventions, Aestheticism, Decadence, Character Analysis, Literary Criticism.
Frequently Asked Questions: Oscar Wilde's *The Picture of Dorian Gray* Analysis
What is the main focus of this essay?
This essay analyzes Oscar Wilde's *The Picture of Dorian Gray*, exploring the central question of whether the protagonist, Dorian Gray, is better characterized as a rebel or a devil. It examines his actions within the context of Victorian society, considering his social standing, his transgressions against social norms, and his resemblance to Lucifer.
What are the key themes explored in the essay?
The key themes include Dorian Gray's position within Victorian society, his motivations for rebellion (or perceived rebellion), his morally questionable actions and their consequences, the portrayal of his charm and its influence, and comparisons between him and the devil/Lucifer. The essay aims for a balanced perspective, presenting arguments for both interpretations.
What aspects of Victorian society are relevant to the analysis?
The essay considers the paradoxes of Victorian society and its prevailing moral views, highlighting how these influenced Dorian Gray's actions and the interpretation of his character. His social standing as a wealthy gentleman is examined as a factor both enabling and complicating his transgressions.
How does the essay approach the "rebel" interpretation of Dorian Gray?
The essay analyzes whether Dorian Gray's actions constitute rebellion against Victorian society. It considers how his social position facilitated and complicated his transgressions, examining specific instances where he defied societal expectations and conventions. It explores the motivations behind his actions, investigating whether they stem from a conscious desire for rebellion or other factors. The essay also defines "rebellion" within the Victorian context.
How does the essay approach the "devil" interpretation of Dorian Gray?
This section examines the extent to which Dorian Gray embodies devilish characteristics. It analyzes his charm, manipulative nature, and the consequences of his actions, drawing parallels to Lucifer. The essay explores the seductive power of his beauty and its influence on his relationships and actions. It investigates the moral corruption in the narrative and the symbolic representation of his portrait.
What is included in the Table of Contents?
The Table of Contents includes an introduction, a section on Dorian Gray as a rebel (further divided into subsections), a section on Dorian Gray as a devil (also with subsections), and a conclusion.
What are the chapter summaries provided?
The provided chapter summaries offer detailed overviews of the introduction, the sections on Dorian Gray as a rebel and as a devil. They highlight the key arguments and analytical approaches used in each section.
What are the keywords associated with this analysis?
Keywords include: Oscar Wilde, *The Picture of Dorian Gray*, Victorian Era, Victorian Society, Rebellion, Morality, Temptation, Devil, Lucifer, Social Conventions, Aestheticism, Decadence, Character Analysis, Literary Criticism.
- Quote paper
- Andrea Hermes (Author), 2005, Dorian Gray - devil or rebel?, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/47101
