Publisher's Synopsis
Seminar paper from the year 2016 in the subject English Language and Literature Studies - Literature, grade: 1,3, University of Frankfurt (Main) (Institut für Anglistik und Amerikanistik), course: English Decadence and Aestheticism, language: English, abstract: This term paper examines the Protagonist of Oscar Wilde's novel "The Picture Of Dorian Gray" and his journey to accomplish his desire of becoming beautiful and leading an aesthetically fulfilling life. Therefore the paper will firstly take a closer look at the role of hedonism, as it not only heavily influences Dorian's lifestyle, but literally his fate. Afterwards, Dorian's idea of beauty will be exhibited while the concepts of art and morality in the novel will be considered. Before the paper comes to its conclusion, Dorian's relationship to the portrait and the "pact" which causes the division of body and soul will be examined. As Basil and Henry may be regarded as representatives of these aspects, the paper also partly lays the focus on their characters in the above mentioned contexts.
