The Three Faces of Oscar Wilde
In the book, The Picture Of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde, there is a character named Lord Henry Wotton. He is the story's antagonist and whom critics often think most resembles Oscar Wilde. Wilde remarks "Basil Hallward is what I think I am: Lord Henry what the world thinks of me: Dorian what I would like to be-in other ages perhaps." Within the preface of The Picture Of Dorian Gray, there lie the lines "Those who go beneath the symbol do so at their peril. Those who read the symbol do so at their own peril." From Wilde's statement, we can assume that there is a part of Wilde represented in each of the main characters, but how they represent him is up for the reader to decide. According to Wilde's statement, he believes that Basil Hallward best represents him. "Those who find beautiful meanings in beautiful things are cultivated." Both Wilde and Basil are artists who like to explore all forms of beauty. Every portrait that is painted with feeling is a portrait of the artist, not the sitter. The sitter is merely the accident, the occasion. It
According to critics, Lord Henry Wotton most closely represents Wilde's character. Critics see Wilde's appreciation for all kinds of art as a form of Hedonism. "The body sins once, and has done with its sin, for action is a mode of purification." Hedonism is what Lord Henry believes in; the belief that all that matters is seeking pleasure in life. Lord Henry is also seen as a bad influence and a very seductive person. Wilde writing this book is seen as a way of convincing the public to become hedonists and therefore critics compare him to Lord Henry. is not he who is revealed by the painter; it is rather the painter who, on the coloured canvas, reveals himself. The reason I will not exhibit this picture is that I am afraid that I have shown in it the secret of my own soul. (23) "The artist is the creator of beautiful things. To reveal art and conceal the artist is the art's aim." This is the first statement that is written in the preface of The Picture of Dorian Gray, but Wilde obviously revealed himself in this book. His characteristics
Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 712
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)
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