The Picture of Dorian Gray was written under the influence of Wilde’s ideas “Art for Art’s sake”. This particular literary movement sustains the idea that a work of art is complete in itself, however useless. It was borrowed by the France literature at the beginning of the 19th century. It ...
Introduction: explains the concept „Art for art’s sake”
Body: it speaks about the novel and its characters, and about the role of Victorian Society and the art
movements that influence „The Picture of Dorian Gray”
Conclusion: summes the ideas that have been debated
By Gina Matei
, THE PICTURE OF “DORIAN GRAY”
Oscar Wilde
“The Picture of Dorian Gray” is the only novel written by Oscar Wilde. Wilde
is one of the most and frequently quoted and well-loved author. The novel was written under
the influence of Wilde’s ideas “Art for Art’s sake”. This particular literary movement sustains
the idea that a work of art is complete in itself, however useless. It was borrowed by the
France literature at the beginning of the 19th century. It is a slogan meaning that the beauty of
the fine arts is reason enough for pursuing them and art does not have to serve purposes taken
from politics, religion or economics. Samuel Taylor Coleridge, Oscar Wilde and Edgar Allan
Poe argued for the doctrine “art for art’s sake”. MGM uses the Latin translation “ars gratia
artis” as a slogan in the circle surrounding Leo the Lion’s roaring head.
The novel describes the bohemian life in which its characters live. The word
bohemian was first used by the English language in the 19th century to describe the non-
traditional lifestyles of marginalized and impoverished artists, writers, journalists, musicians,
and actors in major European cities. Although, Dorian Gray and Henry Wotton are not artists
as Basil is, they both live unconventional lives dedicated to selfsatisfaction. However the two
characters that live according to boheniamism are Basil Hollward and Sibyl Vane. Destroied
by Dorian’s vanity, their figures are a constant reminder of his decadance. Oscar Wilde
manages to gather in his novel a series of influences he witnessed during his time.
“The Picture of Dorian Gray” was, as expected one might say, not well
received by the critics. It was believed to be an immoral story, thing that made Oscar Wilde to
write four more chapters plus a Preface that represents the essence of Wilde’s work. His
beliefs were revolutionary for the Victorian Era. At the time society held the appearance,
although the individuals were beginning to defy the canons especially in art, therefor in
literature. When the second edition of “Dorian Gray” appeared, in 1891 Oscar Wilde began a
homosexual relationship with Lord Alfred Douglas, affair that had a scandal as a result. Four
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