This paper looks at the fall from grace of the title characters in the plays "The Picture of DorianGray" by Oscar Wilde and "Dr. Faustus" by Christopher Marlowe.
Abstract In this article, the writer looks at the characters DorianGray in "The Picture of DorianGray" and Dr. Faustus in the play of the same name. The writer notes that in both Marlowe's and Wilde's tales of men overreaching the natural order, evil is primarily construed as transcending the natural, specifically of desiring eternal life, rather than bowing to the natural processes of change that are inherent in nature. Further, the writer points out that God's law is synonymous with nature, and both Faustus and DorianGray go against nature and embrace artifice and art. The writer concludes that for all of their unnaturalness and evil, the protagonists remain the most 'naturally' compelling characters of their respective dramas, given the unrealistic and 'unnatural' one-dimensionality and weakness of those individuals who are unfortunate enough to encounter Dorian and Faustus.
From the Paper "The seductiveness of both protagonists' ambitions for the reader, however, has provoked contradictory interpretations in the responses of critics and its more general audience. On one hand, both works seem to argue that obeying God's natural order and law regarding knowledge and morality is best. In short, do not seek to become a magician or seek to be young forever. But although Dorian Gray may read like an argument against art and artifice on one hand, it itself is a work of art. Furthermore, although "Dr. Faustus" argues against magic, the actors on the stage need to make use of 'magic' to portray the morality tale of the fall of the scholar from Wittenberg. This confuses the question of what is good or bad in both plays, especially since the 'good' characters like the old man who counsels Faustus to repent, or Basil and Sybil in Wilde's work, are the weakest characters."
Abstract In Oscar Wilde's novel "The Picture of DorianGray", concepts of mortality and death are tied to concepts of aesthetics. This paper shows how DorianGray 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."
Abstract This paper analyzes the book "The Picture of DorianGray" 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."
Abstract This paper discusses Annamarie Jagose's book, "Queer Theory" in relation to DorianGray's character in "The Picture of DorianGray" 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."
Abstract This paper discusses several aspects of the central theme of "The Picture of DorianGray". 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 This paper discusses Oscar Wilde's play, "The Picture of DorianGray" and how the origins of sin are presented in the play. The paper uses examples from the play to show how, for Wilde, sin has its origin in awareness and knowledge of desire, just like the fall from grace in Eden. The paper explains how the main character, Dorian, becomes sinful in his knowledge and his awareness of his own beauty and this leads to his downfall.
From the Paper "Again, there is scarlet, but this is the scarlet of blood letting, not an innocent blush of the young Dorian's lips. Once again, at the words of Lord Henry, even the older and more jaded Dorian is moved to tremble. He blanches at the sight of the picture, but for a different reason, because he can see the monster he has become, rather than fears the passage of age as he did as a young man. His own portrait is described as loathsome, like a serpent, and the diction of the passage is Biblical and elevated, "the scarlet of blood," "desire," and "scarlet dew" as a euphemism for blood."
Abstract This paper begins by exploring the three distinct themes or influences from Darwin that shaped the course of the works, "DorianGray", by Oscar Wilde, and "Dracula", by Bram Stoker. First, the theme of ambivalence toward religion is discussed. Next, the paper discusses the theme concerning the overwhelming fear of monsters hidden within our own genetic code. The paper then examines the last theme of degeneration and entropy. In addition, the issue of racism and how it arose from this fear of degeneration is looked at, as well as how the sexual abuse of African women was justified because of these racist views. Furthermore, cannibalism as a form of sexual lust is discussed and related to the notion of devolution. Finally, the paper compares and contrasts how all of these themes are expressed in both novels.
From the Paper "At the fin de siecle, a great confusion settled over the intellectual communities. Darwin's theories of natural selection had radically altered the scope of society and the popular imagination since the Origin of Species was released in 1858. By the end of the century, however, scientific criticism of the theory had combined with an increased popular paranoia regarding its logical (and less than logical) consequences. Specifically, the idea that we had evolved from the animals began to develop into a fear that we might retrace our steps and descend once more into bestiality. Fear of intrinsic degeneration and the beast within was heightened by its symbolic merger with a sort of imperial self-doubt, as the poets and prophets of the era increasingly foresaw coming changes to the British Empire and a waning of national power. The basic foundations of the British world were crumbling, though they still appeared outwardly bulwarked."
Abstract This paper introduces, discusses, and analyzes the book "The Picture of DorianGray," 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."
Abstract This paper examines how many ideas and issues regarding the implications and neglect of 'nurture' are explored in "The Picture of DorianGray" and "Frankenstein". It looks at how both novels contain characters that are 'nurtured' ie. the Creation and DorianGray 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"."
Abstract This paper compares and contrasts Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice" with Oscar Wilde's "A Picture of DorianGray". It will analyze the two works social satires pertaining to a particular time. It will also contain a thesis statement and has two sources.
Abstract This paper examines how Oscar Wilde's "Picture of DorianGray" 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."
Abstract This paper examines the themes of Oscar Wilde's novel, "Dorian Grey", by analyzing specific quotes. The main theme explored in this essay is the immorality of vanity. The author goes on to describe how the symbolism and imagery in the novel illustrate this theme.
From the Paper "'If it was I who were to be always young, and the picture that were to grow old! For this--for this--I would give everything!' This quote introduces the theme of the portrait that is eventually Dorian's downfall. Dorian's emphasis on the fact that he would give everything for the chance to stay young is particularly important here, because his offhanded trading of his soul for his good looks emphasizes the novel's theme that morality and the soul are valued far below charm and good looks. Additionally, this passage foreshadows the events to come; for Dorian to say that he would give everything is suspicious, and the reader immediately wonders what he would not give. The answer to this question comprises the remainder of the novel."
Abstract The paper considers the theme of change as is present within the poetical works of Thomas Gray and Alexander Pope. The paper describes how Pope conveys a nationalistic message of the ability of man to reconstruct history and mythology in the landscape of Windsor Forest. The paper explains, however, that Gray presents the limitations of this change and the static nature of history that does not define the suffering of the masses to make historical and political change possible.
From the Paper "This literary study will analyze the ever-changing view of industrialization that occurred in England, forging a new environmental view of the landscape of England in the poetry of Thomas Gray and Alexander Pope. Through Pope's poem "Windsor-Forest" one can analyze the powerful theme of change in Windsor Forest, as mankind uses the powerful new tools of technology and science to change the natural beauty of this region. In contrast to this view, Gray in "Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard" portrays the landscape of death, which conveys an opposing sense of progress in the static perspective of life."
This paper studies gray mold, one of the most common and serious diseases of strawberries, and salmonella poisoning, one of the most common bacteria found in tainted poultry.
Abstract This paper is a study of the causes of gray mold, a serious disease of strawberries, and salmonella, a common bacteria found in tainted poultry. Experiments that were conducted to cause spoilage of strawberries under different storage conditions, and to detect salmonella in meat or poultry, are explained and discussed in terms of the results they produced.
From the Paper "Gray mold is one of the most common and serious diseases of strawberries caused by a fungus (Ries, 2001). It is caused by Botrytis cinerea and it thrives during rainy and cloudy periods just before or during harvest. The gray mold fungus winters as many minute, irregular, black, fungal bodies (sclerotica) and as dormant mycelia on many kinds of plant debris, such as dead leaves, stems and fruit, and these sclerotica produce large numbers of microscopic spores (conidia) in the spring which are spread by wind, splashing water, and human activity."
Abstract This creative writing paper describes the Grays, alien beings from outer space that have landed on earth and are attempting to coexist peacefully with humans on earth. The paper describes the differences in appearance, reproduction, and physiological needs between the Grays and humans and discusses some of scientific concerns about allowing an alien species to live on earth. The paper then explains why the Grays are compatible with life on earth and with humans and why they represent no threat to mankind.
From the Paper "The first Grays arrived in 2010, but they did not come en masse until a century later. The initial group of twenty brought with them a plethora of testing equipment from their home planet and took with them a total of two thousand samples from our environment. With the cooperation of the United Nations Council on Extraterrestrial Life (UNCEL), the Grays were permitted to take with them soil samples from hundreds of Earth locations and hundreds of botanical samples, many of which were of plants edible to humans but many of which were deemed palatable by the Grays. The Grays also took atmospheric air samples and water samples, both saline and non-saline, with them. Once the extensive surveys determined that their species could and would live on Earth comfortably, and once UNCEL approved it, about ten thousand of the Grays were permitted to come to the planet. The political problems of dealing with the Grays were immense, but the scientific ones were even greater and continue to plague the human scientific community. Of greatest concern to environmental scientists is of the future impact of the Grays on the Earth and on its inhabitants. Other factors of equal import, such as the cultural, political, economic, and political impacts of the Grays, are beyond the scope of this report."
