Dorian Gray and Aestheticism

Fiction & Literature, Literary Theory & Criticism, British
Cover of the book Dorian Gray and Aestheticism by Benjamin Foitzik, GRIN Verlag
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Benjamin Foitzik ISBN: 9783638180948
Publisher: GRIN Verlag Publication: April 5, 2003
Imprint: GRIN Verlag Language: English
Author: Benjamin Foitzik
ISBN: 9783638180948
Publisher: GRIN Verlag
Publication: April 5, 2003
Imprint: GRIN Verlag
Language: English

Seminar paper from the year 1999 in the subject English Language and Literature Studies - Literature, grade: 2 (B), Technical University of Braunschweig (English Seminar), course: PS Introduction to Late Victorian Literature, language: English, abstract: In this paper I will first give an account of the aesthetic movement in England, from origin to decline, which I will then oppose to the character of Dorian Gray in Oscar Wilde's The Picture of Dorian Gray. The comparison of the different stages in the development of both aestheticism and its incarnated representative Dorian Gray is intended to outline the fact that, even before the decline of aestheticism sets in in the 1890s, Oscar Wilde has anticipated the danger that lies in leading a life that is exclusively based on aesthetic values and pursuing its doctrines too persistently. Through the ruin of Dorian Gray, Wilde reveals the tragedy of the aesthetic movement and thus shows that it is eventually inevitably condemned to fail. Dorian is the epitome of an aesthete who in the end becomes the martyr of a movement which has preached, taught and understood its philosophy too narrow-mindedly. Of course this is a deficiency of narrow-mindedness in general and thus The Picture of Dorian Gray does not only represent the undoing of the epoch it was written in but also of any other theory or philosophy that takes itself too seriously. I will support this statement with an assertion of Lord Henry Wootton's, who is obviously a polemic on general principles but therefore mostly not less right. 'Humanity takes itself too seriously. It's the world's original sin. If the caveman had known how to laugh, History would have been different.' (p.50 )1

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Seminar paper from the year 1999 in the subject English Language and Literature Studies - Literature, grade: 2 (B), Technical University of Braunschweig (English Seminar), course: PS Introduction to Late Victorian Literature, language: English, abstract: In this paper I will first give an account of the aesthetic movement in England, from origin to decline, which I will then oppose to the character of Dorian Gray in Oscar Wilde's The Picture of Dorian Gray. The comparison of the different stages in the development of both aestheticism and its incarnated representative Dorian Gray is intended to outline the fact that, even before the decline of aestheticism sets in in the 1890s, Oscar Wilde has anticipated the danger that lies in leading a life that is exclusively based on aesthetic values and pursuing its doctrines too persistently. Through the ruin of Dorian Gray, Wilde reveals the tragedy of the aesthetic movement and thus shows that it is eventually inevitably condemned to fail. Dorian is the epitome of an aesthete who in the end becomes the martyr of a movement which has preached, taught and understood its philosophy too narrow-mindedly. Of course this is a deficiency of narrow-mindedness in general and thus The Picture of Dorian Gray does not only represent the undoing of the epoch it was written in but also of any other theory or philosophy that takes itself too seriously. I will support this statement with an assertion of Lord Henry Wootton's, who is obviously a polemic on general principles but therefore mostly not less right. 'Humanity takes itself too seriously. It's the world's original sin. If the caveman had known how to laugh, History would have been different.' (p.50 )1

More books from GRIN Verlag

Cover of the book Die sommertrockenen Subtropen am Beispiel des Mittelmeerraums - Klima, Boden und Vegetation by Benjamin Foitzik
Cover of the book Friedrich Nietzsches 'Also sprach Zarathustra' - Qualitätssicherung bei elektronischer Publikation und Edition by Benjamin Foitzik
Cover of the book Triebkräfte deutscher Sozialpolitik des 19. Jahrhunderts by Benjamin Foitzik
Cover of the book Väter behinderter Kinder. Situation, Beratungs- und Hilfsangebote by Benjamin Foitzik
Cover of the book Im Banne von Film und Fernsehen? Ursache und Folgen der Popularität dieser audiovisuellen Medien by Benjamin Foitzik
Cover of the book Arbeitsmarkt in Deutschland. Ist Vollbeschäftigung bloß eine Illusion? by Benjamin Foitzik
Cover of the book Rechtfertigungslehre heute - Ein Vergleich der Interpretationen der Rechtfertigungslehre von Friedrich Schleiermacher und Wilfried Härle by Benjamin Foitzik
Cover of the book Die Emissionsgenehmigung nach dem TEHG by Benjamin Foitzik
Cover of the book Anspruch und Realität von Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers (PRSP) am Beispiel von Mosambik by Benjamin Foitzik
Cover of the book Erkenntnistheoretische Grundlegung zur Anthropologie by Benjamin Foitzik
Cover of the book Stadtmarketing - Aufgaben, Ziele, Möglichkeiten by Benjamin Foitzik
Cover of the book Internationale Bahnreformen - Erfahrungen und Analyse by Benjamin Foitzik
Cover of the book Die geistlichen Waffen des Deutschen Ordens anhand der Chronik des Preußenlandes von Peter von Duisburg unter besonderer Berücksichtigung der Rolle der Makkabäer by Benjamin Foitzik
Cover of the book Entrepreneurship und Intercultural Studies. Entwicklung der Geschäftsidee zu einer Orientierungs-App für Reisende by Benjamin Foitzik
Cover of the book Der Tatbestand des § 613a BGB by Benjamin Foitzik
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy