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Example research essay topic: Psychological Elements Of The Picture Dorian Gray - 1,582 words

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Oscar Wilde was an egocentric author with strong morals and values. The picture of Dorian Gray is the only novel he wrote Wilde is a play writer- and provoked controversy in the Victorian society. The novel critiques many things such as art for arts sake and modernism issues. Wilde also explores the themes of rebellion against the true nature of things-in this case- aging and conventionalist view of the Victorian society. He combines it with a denouement classified as horror in a subtle and effective manner. The story can be separated in two parts, the psychology of rebellion and horror story.

Wilde blends them together to present by proving that sin and rebellion bring horror. In The Picture of Dorian Gray, Wilde explores many aspects of rebellion. Dorian refuses to see himself old, commits horrible crimes such as murdering his friend and blackmailing others, and breaks Victorian laws by having homosexual affairs. The first time Dorian meets Lord Henry Wotton, he admires his hedonistic views.

The words of Lord Henry to Dorian during their first meeting changes Dorians life. We degenerate into hideous puppets, haunted by the memory of the passions of which we were too much afraid, and the exquisite temptations that we had not the courage to yield to. Youth! Youth! There is absolutely nothing in the world but youth! (17) These words are the spark to Dorian obsession with aging and staying beautiful, and therefore, allows him to commit sins to pursue a life consisting of pure pleasure.

Dorian wants his face and body to stay beautiful throughout his entire lifetime His is rebelling against time and the natural flow of things. He makes a deal with the devil when he pronounces the words. I shall grow old, and horrible, and dreadful. But this picture will remain always young. It will never be older than this particular day of June... If it were only the other way!

If it were I who was to be always young, and the picture that was to grow old! For that, I would give everything! (... ) I would give my soul for that! (19) Dorian does give his soul and his portrait grows old and vicious for every year that passes and every sin Dorian commits. Wilde foreshadows Dorians death through Sybil Vane, a beautiful and talented actress, for whom Dorian is fond of for a few days. Dorian falls in love with Sibyls beauty and ability to act but not with her true self. Dorian asks Sybil to marry him but redeems his decision when she looses her acting skills. Dorians love for the physical appearence's and shallow qualities leads to Sibyls suicide.

Even though Dorian does not have remorse for her death, he suffers from the consequences of sin at the end. Dorian has as much love for Sibyls youth and as he has of his own. The moral of the parallel between the two stories explains that superficial attraction leads to death, in both cases suicide. Dorians rebellion does not remain about age and youth, he also behaves against Victorian rules and morals. Dorian hints a bisexual lifestyle, first by his profound admiration for Lord Henry and later by blackmailing his friend Allan Campbell.

Although, Wilde never makes it totally obvious because the book would not have been published, many elements and sentences reflect homoeroticism between Dorian and other men. His homosexuality would be considered illegal in those times but Dorian follows the recommendations of Lord Henry about sinning if it brings you pleasure. There is a strong suggestion that his friendships with young men, who later commit suicide or leave England in disgrace, contain homosexual elements. In fact, his relationship with Allan Campbell is never really explained but results in blackmail and his suicide.

Nevertheless, there are hints of a sexual relationship between them. They had been great friends once, five years before-almost inseparable, indeed. Then the intimacy had come suddenly to an end. When they met in society now, it was only Dorian Gray who smiled: Alan Campbell never did. (121) Dorian resists the rules of conventional life set by the society; he does not marry and uses his charms and his undying youth to provide him with pleasure. Dorian also rebels against all society rules when he kills his friend Basil after showing him his soul, his real self, in the picture. All of Dorians sins are reflected in his portrait that is changing in an old and ugly Dorian Gray.

Wilde plays with the psychological aspect of rebellion against structures set by society. The portrait of Dorian Gray is a psychological novel in demonstrating that one can not separate himself from his soul and sins to obtain pleasure. It also proves that beauty is transitory and no one can cheat the effects of time on the human body without suffering from the consequences. The Picture of Dorian Gray can be placed in the horror story category despite its strong psychological connotation. In the same category as Dr. Jekyll and Mr.

Hyde, The Picture of Dorian Gray presents the psychological struggle of resolving suppresses urges without being held guilty. The portrait of Dorian is in direct correlation with Mr. Hyde, a second self to be able to commit sins and still feel shameless when out in the world. Wilde includes many good elements of a horror story such as murder, blackmailing, the disappearing of a body and suicide but what really makes the story scary is the words Wilde uses to describe sinful situations. He rushed at him and dug the knife into the great vein that is behind the ear, crushing the mans head down on the table, and stabbing again and again. (116) Wilde also proves that The picture of Dorian Gray is a horror story when describing the portrait. Once again, Wilde's choice of words to describe the painting altering into a vicious person makes the reader shrivel.

I seemed to have crept like a horrible disease over the wrinkled fingers. There was blood on the painted feet, as though the thing had dripped-blood even on the hand that had not held the knife. (163) The book includes many aspect of a good horror story such as an evil character, his mentor and the innocent victims. In The picture of Dorian Gray, Dorian becomes the evil maker, a kind of servant for the devil. Lord Henry and the yellow book that he gives him influence Dorians behavior. Lord Henry can be compared to the snake in the biblical tale of Adam and Eve; the temptation to a life of sin. Basil is one of the innocent victims who fall under the charm of Dorian.

Sibyl and Alan are also victims of Dorian malicious life and actions... Some of Dorians murders are psychological, the victim falling under Dorians spell and later on, committing suicide because of an unbearable conscience. And like any good horror story, there is the character in which the reader puts all his hope to destroy evil. In this book, James Vane acts as the possible savior and like any cop or tentative hero, he gets killed before finishing his duty. (James character is secondary and is used to move the plot forward.

His personal life is not discussed but his role is crucial in giving the reader hope that he will kill Dorian. ) And once again, like any good horror story, the killer knows its victims and feels shameless about his actions. Wilde created a good horror story by including the main elements presented in typical horror tales. By writing The picture of Dorian Gray, Wilde accomplished to combine a psychological rebellion story and a horror structure. The picture of Dorian Gray presents a physical and psychological tale. Dorians rebellion against values set by society brings horror to his portrait, which reflects Dorians corrupted soul. The horror is not only presented form a physical level where people get murdered for no particular reason, but rather in a psychological way, where every death is represented in the portrait.

The reader has window open on Dorians corrupted mind and read and feel the killers soul. The moral of the story is made clear by providing horror elements. The tragic ending is the perfect example. Lying on the floor was a dead man, in evening dress, with a knife in his heart. He was withered, wrinkled, and loathsome of visage. It was not till they had examined the rings that they recognized who it was. (165) The last scene brings many elements together; Dorian is punished for his vanity and his wish to be forever young.

The twist ending is unexpected but the reader is satisfied that the killers actions are finally suffered from. Wilde created a horror story that also includes strong morals about society. If it hadnt succeeded, the book would not have be read today. Wilde presents morals and controversial subjects throughout the book. His story telling is unique, and his characters provide insightful views about the society. Looking at the psychology of rebellion and horror side of the story is only one of the many ways to deconstruct the novel.

It has many moral and issues that can be discussed for hours. In conclusion, The picture of Dorian Gray is entertaining and the matter of it being moral of immoral is left to the personal point of view of the reader. Bibliography Wilde, Oscar. The picture of Dorian Gray Dover Thrift Edition, Dover Publication, inc. New York. 1993


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Research essay sample on Psychological Elements Of The Picture Dorian Gray

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