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1、1On Characters inthe Picture of Dorian GrayAn Interpretation of Oscar WildeAbstractOscar Wilde as one of the most distinguished aesthetes overpowers the English world with his scintillating address and writing on aestheticism. Especially in the picture of Dorian Gray, the only novel in his lifetime,
2、 Wilde paints a picture in which his brilliant aesthetic creeds find their full expression. Through the analyses of three main characters involved in the novel, the thesis attempts to explore the essentials of Wildes aesthetic theories and offer an easy approach to readers further understanding of t
3、he Irish wit. Key wordsaestheticism; hedonism; narcissism; dandyism; cynicism;sensibility; paradoxIn public eyes, he belongs to the alternative society. His quaint style of dressing, trenchant wit and eloquence, aesthetic belief of art for arts sake and sexual orientation make a mystery of him. In h
4、is lifetime, discussion over his literary works and private life remains intent among the reading public. And many years after his death, his mystic resplendent charm, instead of being effaced by the lapse of time, began to assert itself and gained increasing admiration from more open-minded generat
5、ions. The appeal emanated from within the Irish wit is so enduring that even when Winston Churchill is asked with whom he prefers most to talk if chance permits, the worldly acknowledged master of language offered the name without any hesitation. The name falls on none other than Oscar Wilde.As a st
6、aunch advocate for the aesthetic movement which developed in Britain during the late nineteenth century as a protest against the prevailing industrial emphasis on the useful or utilitarianism, Oscar Wilde impresses the world primarily with his amazing power of language in presenting his aesthetic th
7、oughts and theories. Pervading in his literary works are epigrammic wit, amusing irony and paradoxical quotes with humorous skepticism and cynical charm. Especially in the picture of Dorian Gray, his only novel, Wilde instills himself and his aesthetic doctrines into the three characters involved in
8、 such a tactful way that the book has since become one of his most celebrated works, a brilliant example of his power as a storyteller and of his flamboyant wit as an aesthetic writer. The three characters in question, Dorian Gray, a youth with heart-throbbing physical beauty; Basil Hallward, a pain
9、ter devoted to art heart and soul; and Lord Henry Wotton, an aristocratic dandy who tempts Dorian Gray 2into moral degeneration, combine to make a true and complete Oscar Wilde as he himself famously said: Basil Hallward is what I think I am; Lord Henry what the world thinks me; Dorian what I would
10、like to be-in other ages, perhaps. In this sense, the picture of Dorian Gray is not only a picture in which Wildes aestheticism is faithfully painted, but also a picture that delineates his inner world. In the novel that is tinged with mythical color, Dorian, Basil and Henry are all aesthetes respec
11、tively representing Oscar Wildes aestheticism in their own way. The protagonist Dorian Gray is a youth with stunning beauty, through whose physical charm Wilde presents his aesthetic ideas in two aspects: Narcissism and hedonism. Narcissism:The narcissistic passion as the distinguishing feature in W
12、ildes beauty-seeking can be detected in the novel from Dorian Gray the wonderfully handsome. Dorian is so indulgent in his own beauty that in boyish mockery of Narcissus, he had kissed or feigned to kiss those painted lips, morning after morning he sat before the portrait, wondering at its beauty, a
13、lmost enamored of it. To perpetuate his youth and charm, the narcissist even jeopardizes his soul by wishing: If it were I who was to be always young, and the picture that was to grow old! For that-for that-I would give everything! Yes, there is nothing in the whole world I would not give! I would g
14、ive my soul for that! The fanatical prayer brings to life a youth who succumbs to self idolatry. Sharing with his character the narcissistic complex, Oscar Wilde the creator presents himself to the world as a brilliantly talented writer who thinks much of himself. He takes great delight in adopting
15、a high profile in public and talking in full flow with his fellowmen about his unorthodox thoughts that shock the world. Besides, Wilde is never one to lose the opportunity of recycling those well-turned phrases and remarks invented by himself. In many of his works, words and phrases made by him are
16、 found to be copied repeatedly just because he prefers his own used words to others. This self-plagiarism is, psychologically, a solid proof of his narcissistic inclination as an aesthete. Hedonism: Disillusioned with a human nature distorted by capitalization and commercialization pervading in 19th century British society, aesthetes led by Wilde take hedonism as a
