Modern Society as a Reflection of the Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde
Traditional gothic fiction was at the height of its popularity during the Victorian era, it exploded in the 1790’s and continued its reign well into the 1800’s. This confrontational style of fiction often blurs the lines of realistic and artificial, forcing readers to challenge their beliefs and surpass the norm. However, the aspect of gothic fiction that was most attractive to the Victorian audience was the way human fears and societal tensions were reflected in the deliberately fictionalised literary works. Themes such as the human greed for immortality and eternal beauty that underlie key gothic texts such as Oscar Wilde’s only novel The Picture of Dorian Gray have incited modern adaptations and the appropriation of these texts into modern culture. This text display cultural and literary disciplines entrenched in superficial concepts that have since become common in today’s shallow society. Contemporary texts such as the 2004 film The League Of Extraordinary Gentlemen (based on the comic book of the same name) directed by Stephen Norrington, not only visualise the character of Dorian Gray but also easily assimilate other traditional Victorian gothic characters including Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, Dracula’s Mina Harker and The Phantom of the Opera into today’s society. Similarly internationally acclaimed novel and movie Harry Potter and Philosophers Stone written by J.K. Rowling incorporates not only the original gothic theme of immortality and fear of death, but also many central motifs and character’s that parallel Wilde’s original text.
Modern societies desire to live forever as a reflection of Dorian Gray’s lust for immortality.
Gothic fiction’s mesmerisation of its Victorian audience can be pinned to the “fears connected with the ongoing upheaval of a culture” (3) that was often reflected in supernatural or satirical stylising of this fiction. These fears have now been appropriated into popular culture via novels such as A Picture of Dorian Gray where “it is
Modern societies desire to live forever as a reflection of Dorian Gray’s lust for immortality.
Gothic fiction’s mesmerisation of its Victorian audience can be pinned to the “fears connected with the ongoing upheaval of a culture” (3) that was often reflected in supernatural or satirical stylising of this fiction. These fears have now been appropriated into popular culture via novels such as A Picture of Dorian Gray where “it is
References: (1) Spark notes. http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/doriangray/themes.html ©2006 SparkNotes LLC (2) Concise Oxford Dictionary. 2007 Edition. (3) Images of Fear: How Horror Stories Helped Shape Modern Culture. (1818-1918). Martin Tropp. Pg 3. (4) The Paradox of Oscar Wilde. Contributors: George Woodcock - author. Publisher: Macmillan. Place of Publication: New York. Publication Year: 1950. (5) Cambridge Guide to Gothic Fiction By Jerrold E. Hogle (Editor) (6) Gothic the New Critical Idiom, Fred Botting; D.S. Brewer, 2001.