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The Relationship between Art and LIfe as presented in 'The Picture of Dorian Grey' and 'The Decay of Lying'

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The Relationship between Art and LIfe as presented in 'The Picture of Dorian Grey' and 'The Decay of Lying'
Oscar Wilde was a passionate admirer of art, an intellectual dandy and a keen advocate of the Aesthetic Movement. Through his essay The Decay of Lying: An Observation, Wilde uses an obviously self-modelled character named Vivian to set out a series of doctrines which detail his personal philosophy on the relationship that exists between art and life, and the rolls that they should play. Chiefly these are: art should only express itself, expressing life and nature makes for bad art, life imitates art more than art imitates life, and that lying is the true aim of art . When applied to his novel The Picture of Dorian Gray these doctrines add an extra layer of meaning to the themes already presented, and this allows for a greater level of understanding. There are several instances during the narrative of the novel which show a relationship between the roles of art and life, and the ways in which they are separated, combined, and reversed. Understanding the theories set out by Vivian helps with comprehending the relationship between Dorian and his portrait, as well as with his friends Lord Henry and Basil Hallward.

The Decay of Lying is presented as a slightly confusing and seemingly contradictory essay on the relationship between art and life which treads the border between being sincere and ironic, while The Picture of Dorian Gray is a metaphor infused novel which blurs the lines between art and life as actively as it seeks to separate them. Both writings leave room for speculation regarding their interpretations, be they the more obvious meanings or their ironic opposites. This is entirely suitable for an essay which aims to bring back the art of lying and the beauty of untruth. The inconsistency of interpretation is aptly reflected by Vivian’s statement; ‘Who wants to be consistent? The dullard and the doctrinaire, the tedious people who carry out their principles to the bitter end…’ Wilde is humorously aware of his contradictory nature and the impact this has


Bibliography: MacCarthy, Fiona, “The Aesthetic Movement” theguardian.com. www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2011/mar/26/aestheticism-exhibition-victoria-albert-museum Wilde, Oscar, ‘The Decay of Lying: An Observation’ in J. B. Foreman (ed), Oscar Wilde Complete Works Vol 3 (Heron Books, 1966) 262 Wilde, Oscar, ‘The Picture of Dorian Gray’ in J. B. Foreman (ed), Oscar Wilde Complete Works Vol 1 (Heron Books, 1966) 18 “Oscar Wilde – Biography” The European Graduate School. http://www.egs.edu/library/oscar-wilde/biography/ “The Picture of Dorian Gray” sparknotes.com. http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/doriangray/themes.html
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