Abstract
In Oscar Wilde's novel "The Picture of Dorian Gray", concepts of mortality and death are tied to concepts of aesthetics. This paper shows how Dorian Gray fears death but also considers art as a way of overcoming death. He then makes himself into a work of art, while the true artwork, the painting of him produced by Basil Hallward, is subject to all the mortal disintegration which rightfully should be suffered by Dorian himself.

From the Paper
"Gray also embodies the New Hedonism expressed by Lord Henry, another challenge to aging and death. However, aging and death are part of the natural order and cannot be escaped in any way except through art. Dorian does see himself as a work of art, but he lives not for an aesthetic but for the love of self. In the end, age and death come to him because he has not lived a balanced life. Critics point out ways in which ideas of aesthetics are embodied in the novel along with moral issues concerning immortality and the ability to evade responsibility for one's actions."

Tags:art, basil, hallward, mortal, mortality, aesthetics

Abstract
This paper analyzes the book "The Picture of Dorian Gray" by Oscar Wilde. The characters are described and their influences on each other are discussed. The paper portrays Lord Henry Wotten as Dorian's devil, his evil inner self, and Basil Hallward as Dorian's conscious, his guardian.

From the Paper
"Oscar Wilde's "The Picture of Dorian Gray" continues to mystify its audience. First published in 1890, it was originally criticized for being immoral. Wilde rewrote the novel and published it again the following year, this time with a pre-face announcing its theme of immorality. Set in late 19th century London, the novel centers around Dorian Gray and two of his "friends" Basil Hallward and Lord Henry Wotten."

Tags:basil, hallward, lord, henry, wotten, fate, beauty, age, artist, portrait

Abstract
This paper discusses Annamarie Jagose's book, "Queer Theory" in relation to Dorian Gray's character in "The Picture of Dorian Gray" by Oscar Wilde. The paper contends that Jagose and Wilde's discussion and portrayal of queerness reflects how this concept is associated to an almost utopian mind state, where the individual has no biases, prejudices and malicious intents in life. The paper assesses that according to these books, queerness is a state where equality and ambiguity is accepted and considered the norm.

From the Paper
"What makes the queer concept vital to the study of gays and lesbians, as well as issues of homosexuality and heterosexuality is that it provides a 'gray area' in which no distinctions between male and female and gay and lesbian are found. Queer appeals to the 20th century philosophers and social scientists simply because it offers an avenue through which gender and sex can be discussed without the political inequality often found between male and female genders and the similarly dichotomous relationship between gays and lesbians. As Jagose had asserted, the queer concept was able to transcend the "natural sexuality" framework-that is, "queer's transcendent disregard for dominant systems of gender"-that society had often used as reference in order to fully understand the identity of an individual."

Tags:gays, lesbians, homosexuality, heterosexuality

Abstract
The paper reveals that although "The Picture of Dorian Gray" may seem to depict little more than a battle between morality and aesthetics, Oscar Wilde's novel is, rather, a profound examination of the psychology of the human mind. The paper highlights the story's theme of tracking the psychological transformation of an innocent youth to that of a corrupt, self-absorbed young man, and finally, to that of a repentant, albeit misguided, middle-aged man.

From the Paper
"Although The Picture of Dorian Gray may seem on first reading to depict little more than a battle between morality and aesthetics, Oscar Wilde's novel is, rather, a profound examination of the psychology of the human mind. An extended metaphor is born the moment the painting begins to register the effects of Dorian's transgressions, whereby the portrait becomes the physical representation of his conscience, and the attic in which he stores the increasingly horrific portrait represents his subconscious. The act of hiding the painting, so that neither he nor others may witness the continual corruption of his soul, reflects Dorian's endeavor to suppress his conscience, and ignore this intrinsic alarm's function to keep his actions in check."

Tags:psychology, mind, portrait, painting, guilt, repentance

Abstract
This paper discusses several aspects of the central theme of "The Picture of Dorian Gray". The portrait and the soul are identified as being synonymous, so that Dorian is affected not by an object, but by his own true image.

Abstract
The paper analyzes how Wilde explores the themes of youth, beauty, art and influence to expose the superficial ideas of a society leaning toward vanity. The paper looks at how Wilde incorporates motifs and symbolism in the novel to enhance his themes and to expose the weakness of man.

From the Paper
"Desire is a powerful, often devastating, force. The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde demonstrates just how powerful a force desire can be through the life of Dorian Gray. He is influenced and affected by desire in a dramatic way that leads to the eventual destruction of his life. Dorian becomes the focal point of the novel, in which his desire is to remain forever young. He is influenced by the picture that Basil presents to him and by the words of lord Henry. After a fatal wish, the picture begins to age, leaving Dorian to retain his wholesome good looks. While this is exactly what Dorian wishes for, he does not consider the ramifications of what has occurred. His youth leads him on a journey of decadence and sheer pleasure for the sake of pleasure - a path that ultimately leads him to commit the seven deadly sins."

Tags:youth, vanity, looks, beauty, art, desire, influence

Abstract
The paper relates that the stigma against gays and lesbians and transgenders grows more severe in their aging polpulations. The paper discusses how there are legal consequences for care without a "family" member, and there are those who ignore aging gays and lesbians because of loss of physical and sexual appeal. The paper reveals that many lesbians and gays may have to hide their sexual orientation because of fears of discrimination in health care facilities and lack of family support.

From the Paper
"There is the continuing myth among less knowledgeable critics that gay and lesbian life is all about youth and beauty and carefree sexual; adventures. Especially worrisome is the notion that the process of aging is anathema. For proof, one can fall back on two works of fiction, Thomas Mann's "Death in Venice," and Oscar Wilde's "The Picture of Dorian Gray". There is no doubt that, among some gays and lesbians, getting older, finding wrinkles and bulges where once there were none, losing hair on top and gaining some in ears has created a stigma. For some that stigma is being ignored in favor of someone younger. This is not strictly a..."

Tags:lesbians, gay, stigma

Abstract
This paper examines how many ideas and issues regarding the implications and neglect of 'nurture' are explored in "The Picture of Dorian Gray" and "Frankenstein". It looks at how both novels contain characters that are 'nurtured' ie. the Creation and Dorian Gray and those that 'nurture' ie. Lord Henry Wotton and Victor Frankenstein.

From the Paper
"In Mary Shelley's Frankenstein the purpose and motivation from which the Creation's existence was brought about immediately brings into question the manner by which his 'nurture' may take place. Victor Frankenstein's attitudes towards the consequences of his work are conflicting and obsessive. He admits that he was pursuing "the creation of a human being" and further remarked, "No father could claim the gratitude of his child so completely as I". However, his reaction as he "beheld the accomplishment of (his) toils" is shown not to be that of someone who could not be deemed a responsible guardian, but to actually hold contempt toward "the wretch". The two opposing viewpoints exhibited by Victor are shown through the contrasting use of language and consequent outlook "gratitude" "toils"."

Tags:gothic, mary, victorian, creation, henry, wotton

Abstract
This paper examines how Oscar Wilde's "Picture of Dorian Gray" and Thomas Mann's "Death in Venice" are literary works situated in the cultural phenomenon known as decadence. This cultural phenomenon began in the late nineteenth century and involved the production of a range of interrelated aesthetic, social and sexual personae. It looks at how the most prevalent of these in the work of Wilde and Mann are the beautiful boy, the dandy and the degenerate, because they represent the "Other". It also discusses how both novels also deal with the dichotomy of the Apollonian and Dionysian artistic impulses in literature, which serve to define the calm exterior/decaying interior that codifies decadence.

From the Paper
"Felski argues that Decadent literature offers "explicitly feminized male protagonists, who are identified with love of artifice, excess, and everything unnatural." This is certainly true in the case of Dorian Gray. She also mentions the "association of femininity with ornamentation and detail in Western culture." Both Dorian and Tadzio's clothing is described with much attention to the detail and adornments of the garments. Wilde's novel regards the protagonist's cultivation of sense experience, passion and sensation in the pursuit of beauty. Dorian studies exotic perfumes, collects musical instruments and precious stones, and once attended a masquerade ball wearing a costume covered with 560 pearls."

Tags:homosexuality, sexuality, dandy

Abstract
This paper introduces, discusses, and analyzes the book "The Picture of Dorian Gray," by Oscar Wilde. Specifically, it compares and contrasts the characters of Henry (Lord Henry Wotton) and Basil Hallward, illustrating their influence and interaction with Dorian, and the role each plays in his eventual downfall.

From the Paper
"Dorian Gray, the main character of the book, is young and beautiful. He is a shallow man, who only wishes that he did not have to grow old; his wish comes true, but at a terrible cost. Dorian remains young, while the portrait Basil painted of him grows old and hideous. Throughout the book, he is influenced by the strong personalities around him, particularly Lord Henry Wotton. Under Henry's guidance, Dorian commits murder, and two people close to him commit suicide, but nothing deters him in his quest for excitement and perfection."

Tags:henry, wotton, basil, hallward, portrait, age, beauty