Dorian gray

DORIAN GRAY: The protagonist of the book is Dorian Gray, a beautiful young man who, under the influence of an older man (the cynic and aesthete Lord Henry Wotton) forfeits his soul to preserve his youth and beauty. He wants a life filled with pleasures, also committing crimes to gratify his wishes. Dorian is a name that evokes the splendour of ancient Greece, while his surname, Gray, sounds like grey, the colour that symbolises the indecision between white (good) and black (bad). Very important are the best friends of the protagonist: Lord Henry Wotton and the painter Basil Hallward. Lord Henry Wotton is cynic and aesthete but he's a good orator. Henry, often named Harry, reminds us of the expression "old Harry", that is a familiar way to name the devil. Basil Hallward is a painter and he is very popular. He has adoration for Dorian and he's the dominant motive of his art. Sibyl reminds us of Greek women who were prophets and told the truth, but her surname, Vane, sounds symbolic because she speaks "in vain".

Basil Hallward portrayed Dorian Gray; thanks to the picture and Henry Wotton's words, Dorian became concerned about his beauty and youth, and wished to stay always as he appeared on the canvas while the picture grew old. His wish came true. Dorian wants a life filled with pleasures also commetted crimes (he caused many suicides, starting from Sibyl's one, and killed Basil), but no sign of age or corruption marred his "marvellous visage". Dorian seems to be protected by a supernatural and infernal power. but Dorian felt he had spoiled his life and the lives of his friends and when he understood he couldn't find a remedy for his sins, he killed himself stabbing the picture, which regained its original shape while Dorian became old and hideous.

THE AESTHETIC MOVEMENT: The long reign of Queen Victoria was a period of great change. The Industrial Revolution brought about social, moral and intellectual change. Class distinction was prevalent in all aspect of Victorian society and it was portrayed in the literature of the epoch. Painters who were dissatisfied with Victorian materialism found inspiration in medieval Italian paintings. These painters used a technique that was used by painters who worked before Raffaello. The brotherhood of painters called the Pre-Raphaelites was founded by Rossetti, Hunt and Millais. It was formed by a group of young artists, painters and writers, who had decided to re-establish a new taste for beauty in a world dominated by materialism. They advocated a return to the simplicity, naturalness and spirituality characterising art before Raphael. Their paintings were often filled with symbols. At first they were not understood, they founded The Germ, a periodical in which they exposed their theories and published some of their poems. The Aesthetic movement began in the 1870s. The writers who started the Aesthetic Movement used the slogan "art for art's sake". In their opinion art and morality were completely separate. Walter Pater is considered the father of the movement and Oscar Wilde the most astonishing representative. Aesthetic writes such as Oscar Wilde pursued pleasure and new sensations and devoted themselves to the cult of beauty and art. A 'dandy' was a very elegant man who gave great importance to his appearance and lifestyle.

OSCAR WILDE'S LONDON: Oscar Wilde arrived in London after his study from Oxford University. London was a city of extremes and contradictions. The new high society lived in fashionable and comfortable homes with many servants. These beautiful homes were located near the royal palace. The new high society was ostentatious and enjoyed dining out at the best restaurants and going to the theatre, opera and ballet, always perfectly dressed. Their children received an adequate education according to their sex: girls were taught to draw, sew, sing and play the piano in preparation for marriage; boys usually went to public boarding schools, which prepared them for a career in politics. The 'lower orders' were mostly poor farm workers who flocked to London in search of work. Children often worked long hours in unhealthy and dangerous conditions and received very little money. A great number of people worked at the docks and the warehouses of London harbour. Some wealthy Victorians took it upon themselves to help the poor and the homeless. Impressive buildings made of steel and glass were being built during this period.

OSCAR WILDE: Oscar Wilde was born in Dublin, Ireland, in 1854. his father was an important surgeon and his mother was a poet. He won scholarship to study at Oxford University. He was influenced by the aesthetic theories of Ruskin and Pater. He moved to London where he began writing. He married Constance Lloyd and they had two sons. Wilde was accused of homosexuality, which was illegal in England at this time. After the trial, he was sentenced to two years imprisonment and hard labour. After that he was a ruined man. He went to live in France. He died in poverty in Paris in 1900.