Aestheticism in The Picture of Dorian Gray
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Questions and Answers

What societal values were emphasized in late Victorian society that contrasted with Aestheticism?

  • Narcissism and self-indulgence
  • Productivity and functionality (correct)
  • Immorality and decadence
  • Emancipation and freedom

In The Picture of Dorian Gray, which literary device is used to reflect the tension between the protagonist and Victorian society?

  • Irony
  • Symbolism
  • Foreshadowing
  • A frame narrative (correct)

What intertextual reference is made in The Picture of Dorian Gray that highlights the influence of Decadent ideology?

  • A Rebours (correct)
  • Frankenstein
  • Pride and Prejudice
  • The Yellow Book

How did late Victorian society generally view Aestheticism and Decadent ideologies?

<p>As illicit and immoral (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role does the corruptive book play in The Picture of Dorian Gray?

<p>It illustrates the protagonist's struggle against societal norms (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does Wilde's use of a meta-textual reference suggest about his novel's position in society?

<p>It reveals the struggles of an emerging movement (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What theme is particularly explored through Dorian Gray's character in the context of Victorian society?

<p>The conflict between aesthetics and morality (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of the Decadent movement is symbolized by the Yellow Book referenced in The Picture of Dorian Gray?

<p>Illicit behavior and rebellion (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What concept is central to the Victorian metanarrative influenced by Freud?

<p>The idea of the divided self (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What literary device is used to illustrate Dorian's internal conflict with his identity?

<p>Symbolism through mirrors (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does Dorian Gray engage with the concept of viewing his own soul?

<p>He finds joy in seeing his beauty without aging (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the lock and key metaphor primarily represent in the narrative?

<p>The balance of freedom and entrapment (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role does Bertha Mason play in the context of Gothic conventions?

<p>An embodiment of the evil other (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which earlier work is referenced to highlight the theme of secrecy in Victorian literature?

<p>The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does Wilde aim to expose through the Gothic conventions in Dorian Gray?

<p>The dangers of unrestrained morality (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does Dorian’s attitude towards knowledge reveal about his character?

<p>He craves knowledge but is afraid of its consequences (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is suggested by the portrayal of Dorian's character as a 'dark double'?

<p>The pain of self-recognition (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does Wilde illuminate the tension between the Decadent movement and Victorian morality in The Picture of Dorian Gray?

<p>By placing characters in immoral settings. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the geographical location of Dorian's actions symbolize in the novel?

<p>The moral decay of society. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is indicated by the contrasting descriptions of Paris and London in the novel?

<p>Dorian's dual nature is mirrored in the two cities. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What literary device does Wilde use to enhance the reader's experience in The Picture of Dorian Gray?

<p>Structured narrative alongside experimental descriptions. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the character of Dorian Gray exemplify the ideals of the Aesthetic movement?

<p>By exploring beauty and sensory experiences without moral constraints. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What theme does Wilde explore through the protagonist's absences from society?

<p>The existential crisis of the individual. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the statement ‘Dorian’s dissolution is tied to the social and geographical divisions of the metropolis’ imply?

<p>His moral decay is connected to the city’s physical structure. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What literary critique does Jerusha McCormack provide regarding The Picture of Dorian Gray?

<p>The novel is widely read despite misunderstandings of its plot. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does Wilde's use of sibilance in descriptions impact the narrative?

<p>It creates a rhythmic allure that draws in a repressed audience. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the phrase ‘fin de siècle’ relate to in The Picture of Dorian Gray?

<p>A reflection on the decadence and degeneration of society. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In which way does The Picture of Dorian Gray serve as a critique of Victorian society?

<p>By illustrating the superficiality of social niceties. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How is the theme of ennui depicted in Wilde's writing?

<p>It is represented through Dorian’s excessive pursuits of pleasure. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does Wilde imply about the nature of civilization through Dorian's experiences?

<p>Civilization contributes to the emergence of Gothic monsters. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does The Picture of Dorian Gray exemplify Decadent writing based on its structure?

<p>Through an integration of playful linguistic features within a traditional format. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Aesthetic Movement Value

The aesthetic movement valued beauty and artistic expression above all else, even at the expense of societal norms and morality. It celebrated self-indulgence, individual expression, and a rejection of practicality and utilitarianism.

Decadent Movement

The Decadent movement was a literary and artistic movement that challenged Victorian values and norms, with an emphasis on the beauty of decay, excess, and unconventional lifestyles. It celebrated individual expression even if it went against societal expectations.

Victorian Societal Values

Late Victorian society valued productivity, functionality, and traditional morality. They saw the aesthetic and decadent movements as promoting self-indulgence and undermining the well-being of society.

Corrupting Book in Dorian Gray

Oscar Wilde's novel The Picture of Dorian Gray uses the theme of a corrupting book to explore the tension between Victorian societal norms and the unconventional ideas of the Decadent movement.

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Intertextual Reference to A Rebours

The novel's reference to the book A Rebours by Joris-Karl Huysmans explicitly links Dorian Gray to the decadent movement. This book is seen as a symbol of the decadent ideology that corrupts Dorian.

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Dorian Gray's Journey

Dorian Gray's journey in the novel reflects the clash between the Victorian world and the decadence he embraces. His pursuit of pleasure and beauty leads to moral decay, a conflict that mirrors the tension between the two opposing ideologies.

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Wilde's Purpose in Dorian Gray

Wilde uses the novel to explore the impact of the decadent movement on Victorian society, highlighting the tension between conventional morality and the acceptance of unconventional lifestyles.

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Meta-textual Function of Dorian Gray

The novel The Picture of Dorian Gray acts as a mirror reflecting the conflict between established Victorian society and the emerging philosophies of the Decadent movement, highlighting the clash between tradition and innovation.

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Aestheticism

A literary movement emphasizing beauty and sensory experience over morality, challenging Victorian conventions.

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Decadence

A literary movement that explored themes of decadence, ennui, and the fall of man in a post-Victorian world.

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Divine Order

The belief that humanity finds meaning and purpose in a divinely ordained system.

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Social Conventions

A rejection of traditional social norms and moral codes, often associated with freedom and individuality.

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Gothic Literature

A literary genre that uses darkness, suspense, and supernatural elements to explore themes of fear and the unknown.

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Dual Self

The concept of a metaphorical duality, representing two opposing sides of a person or place.

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Repetition

A literary device where repetition of words or phrases is used for emphasis or effect.

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Descriptive language

A literary device where descriptive language is used to create vivid imagery and sensory experiences.

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Consonance

A literary technique that uses consonants sounds for emphasis or to create a specific atmosphere.

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Sibilance

A literary device using 's' sounds to create a sense of hissing or whispering.

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Degeneration

The belief that human evolution has reached its peak and is now in decline.

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Fin de siècle

The period at the end of the 19th century, characterized by a sense of uncertainty and cultural change.

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Ennui

A feeling of weariness and dissatisfaction with life, often associated with decadence.

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The Docks

The location of Dorian's 'sins' and vices ; a metaphorical representation of evil.

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The Fall of Man

A state of moral corruption or deterioration. It has a metaphorical meaning in 'The Picture of Dorian Gray', representing the protagonist's descent into sin.

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Aesthetic Movement

A literary and artistic movement that celebrated beauty and artistic expression above all else, even if it meant breaking societal rules.

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Divided Self

The concept of a person having two contrasting sides to their personality, often a good side and a bad side.

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Paradox of the Mirror

A literary device that uses symbolism in a paradoxical, contrasting way, such as a mirror reflecting a beautiful image but hiding a dark truth.

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Dorian Gray's Portrait

In the novel The Picture of Dorian Gray, the portrait of Dorian Gray symbolizes his inner corruption and the ugliness he hides from the world.

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Lock and Key Metaphor

A metaphor used in The Picture of Dorian Gray to depict Dorian's struggle to conceal his hidden guilt, represented by the act of locking away his portrait.

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Theme of Concealment

The theme of secrecy and hiding the truth from the world, often used in literature to explore hidden desires or dark secrets.

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Hidden Secret Device

A narrative device used in novels to illustrate the tension between societal norms and unconventional lifestyles, often by revealing the hidden secrets of the protagonist.

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The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

A novel that explores the concept of a person having a double life, often with a morally good side and a dark, evil side.

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Intertextuality

A literary technique where a text makes reference to another work of literature, often to create a deeper meaning or draw a connection between the two stories.

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Study Notes

Aestheticism and Decadence in The Picture of Dorian Gray

  • Late Victorian society viewed Aestheticism and Decadence's promotion of homosexuality and the "New Woman" as immoral, contrasting with values of productivity and functionality.
  • Oscar Wilde's The Picture of Dorian Gray mirrors this tension between Victorian conventions and Decadent philosophies.
  • The novel uses intertextuality, referencing Joris-Karl Huysman's A Rebours and the Yellow Book.
  • This creates a narrative within a narrative, reflecting Decadence's impact on Victorian society.
  • The novel establishes a conflict between Dorian as a fictional "reader" and the Victorian "reality" it depicts.

Characters and Setting

  • Wilde's characters are positioned on the periphery of Victorian society, reflecting the eroding belief in purpose and divinely ordained systems.
  • Dorian's "escape" from societal conventions and his geographical displacement serve as symbolic representation of moral rejection of Victorian values.
  • The novel juxtaposes Paris's "wonder" and "romantic temperament" with London's negativity and rumours, metaphorically contrasting Decadence with the anxieties of Victorian thought.
  • London, the "darker dual self" of Paris, represents the insidious corruption Dorian experiences.

Symbolism and Gothic Elements

  • The novel employs Gothic conventions, exemplified by the mirror/portrait symbol, representing Dorian's divided self and the narrative's conflict.
  • Dorian's dual life is situated in the Docks, symbolizing vice and sin.
  • The "lock and key" motif represents secrecy, concealment, and Dorian's conflicting desires to conceal his painting (representing his hidden self) and disassociate himself from it.
  • The motif also connects to other Gothic texts of the era, such as Jane Eyre and The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, reflecting societal anxieties about fractured identity and morality.

Language and Structure

  • Wilde's language, employing repetition, varied descriptions, and striking imagery, captures the essence of Decadence and the Gothic.
  • The novel's use of sibilance creates an alluring yet unsettling atmosphere, appealing to a stifled Victorian audience.
  • Despite critics' concerns about Wilde's style, the novel remains accessible due to its intriguing, stimulating language, echoing modern interests.
  • The novel maintains a nineteenth-century structure while showcasing Decadent features, creating a significant tension between societal expectations and avant-garde movements.

Decadent Themes and Victorian Concerns

  • The novel embodies Decadent themes like ennui, the Fall of Man, and the concept of "degeneration," reflecting Victorian anxieties about the pinnacle of human development being reached.
  • This degeneration idea aligns with Darwinian concepts and intersects with Freud's psychological ideas, which challenged Victorian notions of national identity.
  • The novel's exploration of fragmented identity and concealment reflects the evolving conception of self during the late Victorian era, mirroring anxieties about society's rapidly changing landscape.
  • Wilde's text challenges Victorian moral frameworks, confronting the societal fears around "unnatural" desires and the limitations of Victorian morality.

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Description

Explore the themes of Aestheticism and Decadence in Oscar Wilde's The Picture of Dorian Gray. This quiz delves into the tension between Victorian society and the philosophies represented in the novel, examining character motivations and intertextuality. Test your knowledge of how Wilde's work reflects broader societal changes of the time.

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